Watch the First Flight of a Piloted Electric Race Airplane

Historic journey paves the way for high-speed Air Race E series in 2023.

Thom Patterson

Tuesday, February 01, 2022 at 01:36 PM ET

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Pilot Rein Inge Hoff made the historic flight in a converted Cassutt IIIM formula race airplane. [Courtesy Airbus]

Key Takeaways:

Air Race E successfully carried out the first piloted flight of an all-electric race airplane in Norway on January 28, marking a significant breakthrough in electric aviation.
This historic 10-minute test flight paves the way for the world's first electric air race series, Air Race E, which is scheduled to launch in 2023.
Supported by founding partner Airbus, the series will feature high-speed, head-to-head races and aims to accelerate innovation and development in electric aviation technology.

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After years of development and delays, Air Race E has carried out the first piloted flight of an all-electric race airplane.

The 10-minute test flight by the Nordic Air Racing team took place January 28 at Jarlsberg, Norway’s Tønsberg Airport (ENJB). Organizers said it represents a significant breakthrough, not only in the sport of air racing, but across the entire aviation industry.