Australia’s only licensed electric plane is breaking world records | ABC Australia

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Adelaide-based Eyre to There Aviation has set out on a pioneering trip around rural South Australia, and along the way broke a world endurance record for an electric aircraft with a 7-day, 25-stop flight.

The Pipistrel Alpha Electro plane is the only commercial electric plane in Australia.

As with electric cars its batteries need regular recharging. On this trip a team of two other planes and two support vehicles met the plane at airstrips with a generator to recharge the Electro.

Nicknamed “Bobby”, it had to land and recharge every 35 to 45 minutes.

Finding runways in the bush and outback was a challenge, with the team compiling a report to send to the State Government assessing the most suitable airports for recharging facilities.

Eyre to There managing director Barrie Rogers said electric planes were quieter, more economical and greener than conventional planes, and would be more common in the future.

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