In 2024 we are witnessing a new electric race. Many of you have heard of MotoE as the best electric motorcycle race in the world, as well as Formula E as the best electric car race in the world. But what about the planes, especially the electric airplanes? The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is organizing the Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race for 2024.
What is 2024 Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race?
Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race is a cross-country air race exclusively for electric propulsion aircraft. Set to take place in May 2024, the four-day event will cover 1,000 nautical miles from Omaha, NE, to Dare County Regional Airport near Kitty Hawk, NC.
The competition is open to various piloted aerodynes using zero-emission electric propulsion, including fixed-wing planes, helicopters, and multi-rotor eVTOL Advanced Air Mobility vehicles, the race aims to showcase electric aircraft range, reliability, and speed.
Ruls of 2024 Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race
The race rules, designed by the NAA Pulitzer Race Committee, emphasize visual flight rules (VFR), with the winner determined by the fastest speed calculated from cumulative flight time. The chosen cross-country format requires careful route selection and logistical planning, highlighting different electric propulsion technologies and operational strategies.
As part of STEM outreach, the NAA plans to collaborate with a STEM provider to create a Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race STEM Kit, offering educational materials on aviation and electric propulsion. During the race, students can visit nearby airports, interact with race teams, and gain firsthand experience with electric aircraft. The NAA also envisions The Pulitzer STEM Challenge for fifth and sixth-grade science classes, where students design their electric race aircraft for a chance to win a VIP tour of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
The NAA encourages sponsors, partners, and contestants to contribute to making the Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race a premier showcase for practical electric propulsion advancements, reflecting the historical impact of the National Air Races of the 1920s and 1930s on internal combustion airplanes in the early days of aviation.
Intrigued by the future of electric aviation? For more details on the 2024 Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race, visit the official National Aeronautic Association (NAA) page. Your support fuels the journey towards a sustainable aviation era.