Springfield, Ohio recently welcomed the inaugural Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race, the first ever all-electric, crewed air race in world history.
Led by the Advanced Air Mobility Institute and hosted by the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE), the competition featured seven race teams flying Pipistrel Velis Electros and the BETA Technologies CX300 eCTOL.
Pilots completed a 44-mile triangular course originating from Springfield-Beckley Airport, with semi-final timed heats conducted on Saturday, followed by the final competition at 9:45am CDT on Sunday, October 12th, precisely 100 years to the day since the last time the Pulitzer Race was held.
The race incorporated live flight tracking, enabling aviation enthusiasts and observers around the world to monitor the event in real time. Following the successful conclusion of the competition, the Advanced Air Mobility Institute formally recognizes the following race outcomes:
- Gold — Ms. Tyler Prather, piloting the BETA Technologies CX300: time 19:50 (132.95 kts)
- Silver — Ms. Jakki Galella, piloting a Pipistrel Velis Electro: time 26:38 (99.00 kts)
- Bronze — Mr. Henry Stanley, piloting a Pipistrel Velis Electro: time 28:56 (91.13 kts)
Three World Aviation Records were set, which are currently undergoing verification through the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and the World Air Sports Federation. A formal Pulitzer Trophy award ceremony will be held on November 6 in conjunction with the NAA Fall Awards.
Dan Sloat, Founder & President of the Advanced Air Mobility Institute, said, “The AAM Institute is tremendously proud of the race pilots who came together to compete in this historic event. We look forward to awarding our top finishers Gold, Silver and Bronze Pulitzer medallions at the NAA Fall Awards next month in Washington D.C.”
