Master of Engineering (4th year) project students have modified an aircraft to fly on electric power, in association with Anglia Sailplanes and AeroElvira Ltd.

The first flights took place on 20/21 September. Test pilot, Derek Piggott, described the modified aircraft as a "delight to handle".

The aircraft was modified by the addition of 8 underwing pylons attached by removable straps. The pylons were fitted with 16 propellers (280 mm in diameter) driven by electric motors and powered by lithium-ion batteries supplied by Ripmax PLC. The motors were activated by a wireless link by the pilot in the cockpit. A permit-to-fly was issued by the British Gliding Association.

The photograph here shows the aircraft in flight.

The project involved over 3 MEng Project groups over a period of 5 years, including for example the following students (now all graduates): Ross Shepherd, Stefan Wurwal, Mark Saunders, Hamza Baker, Mikel Alonso, Morten Christiansen, Sami Ghamloush, Mehrtash Lotfian, Mohammad Ali Sarkandi, Junaed Wahid.