Rolls-Royce believes the Spirit of Innovation aircraft could be the fastest all-electric aircraft in the world. The firm said the aircraft reached a top speed of 387,4 mph (623 km/h) in its experimental test flight.
Rolls-Royce believes it has broken new World Records in three different categories. The results were sent to the World Air Sports Federation for verification.
Test flights took place on 16 November at the Boscombe Down test site in Wiltshire. Top speed was achieved by test pilot and director of flight operations Phill O'Dell. “This is the highlight of my career and an incredible achievement for the whole team,” said O'Dell.
Rolls-Royce announced today that Spirit of Innovation is 330 mph (2017 km/h) faster than the 132 record set by the Siemens eAircraft-powered Extra 213.04 LE Aerobatic aircraft.
The aircraft reached top speeds of 1,9 mph (3 km/h) over 345,4 mph (555,9 km) and 9,3 mph (15 km/h) over 330 mph (532,1 km).
According to the statement, the plane also broke another record by climbing 3 thousand meters in 1 minute and 202 seconds.
The Spirit of Innovation aircraft houses the most powerful battery ever installed in aviation, capable of charging 7.500 phones simultaneously.
Warren East, CEO of Rolls-Royce, said: “Following the world's focus on the need for action at COP26, this will help make 'jet zero' a reality and support our goals to deliver the technological breakthroughs society needs to decarbonize transportation by air, land and sea. It is another milestone.”
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