An Electrifying First for Air Racing

The weekend of 22nd and 23rd June 2024 was an exciting one for the Royal Aero Club RRRA as it hosted the Merlin Trophy Race and Schneider Trophy Air Race at Goodwood Aerodrome.

Taking place over the Solent and so reminiscent of the original Schneider course, this event was a particularly special one as Cliff Hawkins from Airbourne Aviation flew the Pipistrel Velis Electro, making history as the first ever electric aircraft in the world to participate in an air race!

Jon Hunt, The Flying Reporter was on hand to capture the action – check out his video of the event here.

If you are interested in British Handicap Air Racing and would like to find out more about becoming a racer, visit the website here.

One of eleven aircraft taking part, the Velis Electro, piloted by Cliff alongside navigator Roger Scholes, raced with a handicap speed of 90kts. Although they didn’t win any trophies this time, their demonstration of what can already be achieved with electric flight has opened the eyes of many to what the future of aviation may look like.