A three-pilot crew accompanied by a five-person, multi-vehicle support crew have set a world endurance record for electric flight. The team traversed 1,350 kilometers (839 miles) over not-always-hospitable terrain and through not-always-welcoming weather. Participants in the record attempt held up admirably, with few problems other than seemingly constant cross-wind landings and often uncooperative weather. Their flight made it onto Australia’s largest television network. The Airplane Eyre to There Managing Director Barrie Rogers explains the limitation of the aircraft and the effect this had on the flight. “The Pipistrel Alpha Electro – dubbed the ‘Tesla of flying’ – currently has a flight time range of about 1 hour and cruising speed of 85 knots (157km/h) so we’ve had to very carefully plan each stop and build in contingencies for weather such as strong head winds.” The craft itself shows the characteristics that make it a good trainer – but probably not one’s choice for a world endurance record. The 10.5-meter (34.5 …
