Electric Trans-Atlantic 'Flight Of The Century' Enters Next Stage Of Testing

Electric Trans-Atlantic 'Flight Of The Century' Enters Next Stage Of Testing

An attempt to make the world's first electric flight across the Atlantic has taken a step forward, after the team attempting the feat announced it will make its first full test on Wednesday.

The team's Burt Rutan designed Long-EZ aircraft has already been converted to all-electric power, and began the taxi tests recently ahead of an attempt to cross the ocean in 2014.

Pilot Chip Yates said that "weather permitting" the plane will make its first-ever flight on Wednesday.

Yates already holds the record for the fastest speed recorded on an electric motorcycle - 190mph.

Dubbed the 'Flight of the Century', its developers hope the trans-Atlantic journey will lead to future innovation in electric vehicles.

The company was founded in May to develop and commercialise its patented system of indefinite electric flight.

The technology was presented at Nasa's Ames Research Center in March.

It says its tech provides a better solution to electric flight range that simple improvements in battery tech, because it "can be implemented today".

The flight will be achieved by "refuelling" the aircraft mid-air by swapping battery packs with the aid of unmanned aerial drones.

The team imagines a "futuristic scene" where over-ocean electric flight is achieved by automatic refuelling rigs on platforms set in the open sea.

The team will attempt to break the records for highest altitude and fastest top speed for electric airplanes before taking on the trans-Atlantic flight.

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