Powered by 3 x Evolito motor (formerly YASA Aerospace), the Spirit of Innovation broke 3 world records:
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Fastest all-electric aircraft: Top speed of 300 knots (345.4 mph or 555.9 km/h) over a 3-kilometre course
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Fastest time to climb to 3,000 metres: Reached the altitude in 3 minutes and 22 seconds
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Fastest average speed over 15 kilometres: Maintained an average speed of 287 knots (330.0 mph or 532.1 km/h)
This ground-breaking, fixed wing plane, built and developed by Rolls Royce, is powered by YASA Aerospace motors and Electroflight batteries, which forms the Powertrain behind all Evolito Propulsion Solutions. The aircraft uses a 400kW electric powertrain – the equivalent of a 535 BHP supercar.
The speed achieved by test pilot and Rolls-Royce Director of Flight Operations Phill O’Dell in the ‘Spirit of Innovation’ was 132 mph faster than the previous record set by the Siemens eAircraft powered Extra 330 LE Aerobatic aircraft in 2017.
Never in the history of the FAI record attempts has there been such a significant increase in speed over such a short time, highlighting the rapid pace at which electrification of aerospace is advancing.
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