Lindbergh Prize for Electric Aircraft – Vision Award

Oshkosh Airventure 2011

Elektra One

Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize
Aero-Friedrichshafen 2011
A biannual suite of prizes designed to accelerate development of practical electric flight, and stimulate meaningful advances in the emerging electric aircraft industry.

LEAP Aero 2011 Best Electric Airplane

In the best electric airplane category, there were several noteworthy candidates. It was very difficult to determine a winner, as all of the finalists have done a great job creating the new world of electric flight. The finalists were:

• The Hugues Duval Electric Cri-Cri with power by Electravia.
• The Pipistrel Taurus Electro
• The Sunseeker II solar airplane by Eric Raymond
The winner is: The Pipistrel Taurus Electro

The Pipistrel Taurus Electro was chosen because it has a professionally engineered “plug and play” electric power system which is available for commercial sale to other airplane makers, and because it includes a completely integrated “solar trailer” that allows the airplane to operate independently of the commercial power grid.  The integration and safety features are excellent and can serve as a model for industry standards for electric aircraft.

LEAP Aero 2011 Best Electric Propulsion
There were many new developments here at AERO. In the judging, our experts gave strong consideration to the commercialization and scalability potential of the systems reviewed. The finalists are:
• The LZ Design FES (front engine sustainer) system.
• The Rapid 200 Fuel Cell propulsion system from Polytechnic Torino.
The winner is: The LZ Design FES system

This system is a unique application of electric power that is something really new on the scene.  Besides being available on the LAK sailplanes, the system is also commercially available to other builders and is already featured on the Alisport Silent 2 Electro self-launching sailplane.  The folding propeller is a novel design that enhances flying safety with “one button” instant power and very low drag when in the stowed position.

LEAP Aero 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award
The Outstanding Achievement Award is granted for significant achievement in the field of electric flight for a single event or cumulative effort in any of the following areas: engineering, design, public outreach, regulatory, or education.
The winner is: Bertrand Piccard, Andre Borschberg and the Solar Impulse Team

We believe that the flights of Solar Impulse compare with Charles Lindbergh’s flights in the Spirit of St. Louis, and the flights of SpaceshipOne, in that each shifted public perception of the potential of their respective industries. These efforts had their own extraordinary challenges and evolved in different ways, but they each took a nascent industry and moved it into mainstream consciousness. This is a critical step toward reaching a tipping point that will move the aviation industry into the future. From a spectacular original vision to assembling a world class team to the execution of the test flight program to the educational outreach, Solar Impulse has helped to bring the electric aircraft industry to its tipping point.
Sincere thanks to our sponsors for making this event special:
• The Prince Albert II Foundation of Monaco for sponsorship of the LEAP Education Program
• Sikorsky Helicopters for sponsorship of the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize
• Messe – Friedrichshafen for hosting LEAP and the First Families of Flight.

**********************************************************************************************

At Oshkosh Airventure 2010, LEAP awarded a total of $25,000 in prize money, an amount equal to the Orteig prize that was won by Charles Lindbergh for his 1927 solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. In doing so, Charles Lindbergh changed the world’s perspective about the potential for aviation and opened the door for today’s $300 billion dollar aviation industry.

“We are witnessing the dawn of a new era in aviation technology,” said Erik Lindbergh. “As pilots, we need to take the initiative to find sustainable alternatives for the future of aviation.”

In July 2010 at Oshkosh AirVenture, the prizes were awarded as follows:
1) Best Electric Aircraft: Awarded for the best example of a practical electric aircraft in any category – Experimental, LSA, or Certified. The prize was awarded to Yuneec in recognition of Yuneec’s accomplishments in the design and engineering of the Yuneec E430, an aircraft with significant commercial potential. With attention to production and market considerations in addition to a compelling design, Yuneec’s efforts have resulted in an aircraft that could make possible practical, sustained electric flight.

2) Best Electric Aircraft Sub-System or Component Technology: Defined as a set of components designed to work together to accomplish a specific task which advances the field of electric aircraft in performance, safety and practicality, or individual components that serve to advance the performance and practicality of electric aircraft. The prize was awarded to Sonex for the design and engineering of the eFlight Initiative electric propulsion system architecture. Their innovative engine cooling system, motor controller, battery pack, and integrated safety systems point to a thorough understanding of needs of the market with an eye toward commercialization, while mitigating potential safety issues.

3) Individual Achievement Award: Granted for significant individual achievement in the field of electric flight for a single event or cumulative effort in any of the following areas: engineering, design, public outreach, regulatory, or education. The prize was awarded to Axel Lange for his leadership and vision in the development of the Antares 20E, which is the world’s first certified production electric aircraft.  The 20E demonstrates a level of innovation, engineering, and integration that is currently unmatched. The 20E’s simplicity of use and elegance of electric power-train integration indicate a level of excellence in engineering and design that warrant this award.  Of particular interest is the fact the system monitors itself, and notifies the pilot of battery system status and potential failures.

LEAP has partnered with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) who hosted the LEAP awards at Oshkosh AirVenture, the annual air show held each July in Oshkosh, WI.