Development of the first electric race airplane has taken a major leap forward due to an innovative partnership announced between the University of Nottingham and Air Race E this week.
A new integrated ‘plug and play’ electric motor, battery and power electronics system will be designed and retrofitted into an existing petrol-powered Air Race 1 plane in workshops at the University.
The prototype race airplane will help shape the model and rules for Air Race E, which is set to launch its inaugural race in 2020.
The University is investing £13m in the Beacons of Excellence programme which is aimed at championing field-leading responses to global challenges, including sustainable travel.
With transport on the vanguard of a green revolution the two parties will drive the discovery and translation of new materials, components and technologies in order to change the game within electrified propulsion.
Jeff Zaltman, CEO of Air Race Events, commented; “This is a ground-breaking partnership between Air Race E and the University of Nottingham which will undoubtedly have a huge impact across the electric aviation industry.
“Since the announcement of the Air Race E series we have been overwhelmed by the response of innovators and leaders within the aviation sector and we are delighted to be working with the pioneering University of Nottingham Beacon Programme to help drive change within the industry.”
Richard Glassock, Research Fellow in hybrid propulsion systems for aircraft, and project lead, added; “Air Race E is set on making the electric aviation industry move faster and we are very excited to be working alongside them to make it happen.
“Future transport platforms will require electrical machines and power conversion and transmission solutions which can deliver a step-change in power density, efficiency and reliability. Through strategic investment in facilities, talent and research programmes, and collaboration with academic and industrial partners, the University of Nottingham is at the forefront of this exciting revolution in aerospace, marine and automotive transport.”
Air Race E will see electric airplanes racing directly against each other on a very tight circuit just above the ground and at speeds faster than any land-based motorsport. Formula Air Race planes, classified as “experimental”, are the only airplanes in the world designed specifically for racing and built to a specific race formula.
The demand for speed, performance and power management under the rigors of a competitive race environment provide the perfect conditions for the development and promotion of cleaner, faster and more technologically advanced electric motors. Electric aviation is one of the fastest developing technological areas and is seen as the third generation of aviation.
Air Race E will be a similar format to the sport known as ‘formula one pylon air racing’ where the world’s best race pilots compete simultaneously to be the first one to cross the finish line. Eight airplanes race directly against each other at speeds of over 400kph around a tight circuit just 1.5km end-to-end.
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The University of Nottingham is a research-intensive university with a proud heritage, consistently ranked among the world's top 100. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our 44,000 students - Nottingham was named both Sports and International University of the Year in the 2019 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, was awarded gold in the TEF 2017 and features in the top 20 of all three major UK rankings. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement. We are ranked eighth for research power in the UK according to REF 2014. We have six beacons of research excellence helping to transform lives and change the world; we are also a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally.
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