Air Race E
Electric air racing championship run to Formula One rules.
Air Race E, officially the Air Race E World Cup, is a forthcoming air racing series that follows Formula One rules but is designed exclusively for electric aircraft. Competitors will build and fly their own electric planes, racing in packs of eight around a 5-kilometer oval course defined by pylons, with predicted speeds above 250 miles per hour. Airbus became a founding partner in February 2019. The first season was originally set for 2020 but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The championship was introduced in April 2018 by Jeff Zaltman, CEO of Air Race Events, which also runs the Air Race 1 Cup. It was positioned as a sister series to Formula One Air Racing, sanctioned by the Formula Air Racing Association and the Association des Pilotes d’Avions de Formules. In November 2018, the University of Nottingham announced it would build the first Air Race E plane by converting a Cassutt III to electric power, creating an experimental test bed to help shape the series. Airbus joined as a founding partner in February 2019, working with Air Race E and other partners to define the race format and technical rules for the 2020 season. The first four teams—from the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom—were announced in June 2019. By July 2019, the series was accepting applications from potential host cities. The first piloted electric race plane flight took place on January 28, 2022, achieved by the Nordic Air Racing Team.
The series includes three classes. The Open class is the original formula, allowing any manufacturer to create unique powertrains up to 150 kW. The Performance class uses a standardized electric powertrain but permits modifications, with rules nearly identical to the Open class. The Vertical class is for VTOL aircraft, making it the world’s first VTOL air race, though its rules have yet to be finalized.
Races will be held in host cities worldwide, each forming a round of the season. The team with the most points wins the World Cup. In the inaugural season, at least one race will award points toward the cup, while others will be stand-alone events. The race format follows Formula One pylon air racing: eight planes start from a standing position and fly five laps around an oval course roughly 5 kilometers long, marked by pylons. The first to cross the finish line wins.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Air Racing
- Teams
- 4 declared (16 max)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Air Race E was announced in April 2018 by Jeff Zaltman, CEO of Air Race Events, which also runs the Air Race 1 Cup for Formula One Air Racing. It was announced as a sister championship also run to Formula One Air Racing rules and sanctioned by the Formula Air Racing Association (FARA) and Association des Pilotes d’Avions de Formules (APAF). In November 2018, the University of Nottingham was announced to build the first Air Race E plane by converting a Cassutt III aircraft to electric propulsion, serving as an experimental test bed. In February 2019, Airbus became a founding partner, working to shape the format and technical regulations for the inaugural season. The first four teams were announced in June 2019, originating from the USA, the Netherlands, and the UK. As of July 2019, Air Race E was officially seeking applications from potential host cities. On 28 January 2022, the first flight of a piloted electric race plane was achieved by the Nordic Air Racing Team.
Reader's Guide
Air Race E is notable as a planned championship that adapts Formula One pylon air racing rules for purely electric aircraft, aiming to spur development of high-performance electric powertrains. The series is backed by Airbus, a major aerospace multinational, as a founding partner. The championship features three classes: Open class (any manufacturer, unique powertrains up to 150 kW), Performance class (standardized electric powertrain with allowed modifications), and Vertical class (for VTOL aircraft, the world's first VTOL air race, with rules yet to be clarified). Races will be held in host cities around the world, with eight planes racing on a 5 km oval course over five laps from a standing start. The series draws parallels to Formula E in its intention to advance electric propulsion technology. Air Race E states its core mission is to develop electric propulsion technology for aircraft, promote green aviation, and entertain audiences with high-speed air racing. The inaugural season was initially planned for 2020 but delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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