Created To Advance Green Aviaiton Technology And Inspire Students

At a press conference this week marking the 80th anniversary of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s historic glider flights in San Diego, the Creative Solutions Alliance (CSA), a nonprofit organization founded by their grandson Erik Lindbergh, announced the Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize (LEAP). LEAP is a new technology prize designed to stimulate meaningful advances in the fledgling electric aircraft industry.

LEAP will bring electric flight to more people and will serve as a vehicle for creating a powerful project-based curriculum that will address the need for effective science, technology, engineering and math education.

"The Lindbergh Electric Aircraft Prize is the culmination of my work over the last decade in aviation, education and prize philanthropy. LEAP represents the perfect focal point to light up both kids and adults. We are literally teaching the next generation to imagine and create their future," explains LEAP Founder, Erik Lindbergh.

File Photo of Eric Lindbergh

LEAP is a suite of prizes designed to promote the practical development of electric aircraft by recognizing specific advances in this emerging clean technology industry. The prizes will be awarded for the following:

1. Best Electric Aircraft: Awarded for the best example of a practical electric aircraft in any category - Experimental, LSA, or Certified.
   *Hybrid electric aircraft may be nominated as well but only series hybrids where the source of primary propulsion is electric. An example of this type of system is the Chevy Volt, which uses an internal combustion engine as a range extender but has a pure electric powertrain.
2. Best Electric Aircraft Sub-System:  Defined as a set of components designed to work together to accomplish a specific task which advances the field of electric aircraft in both performance and practicality, e.g., electric powertrains, energy storage systems, charging systems, etc.
3. Best Electric Aircraft Component Technology: Defined as individual components that serve to advance the performance and practicality of electric aircraft, e.g., batteries, electric motors, power electronics, etc.
4. Public Choice Award: Allowing the public to vote on electric aircraft that are currently flying whether practical or not. This will be an opportunity to gauge the public's interest and excitement with respect to various electric aircraft projects.

CSA has partnered with the Experimental Aircraft Association and will announce the winners at EAA’s AirVenture, the annual air show held each July in Oshkosh, WI.

"Hosting the pioneering technology of electric aircraft is a natural for EAA AirVenture and that has always been the annual showcase for what's new in the world of flight," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. "This area will play an increasing role in aviation in this century and only at Oshkosh can people meet and hear from the innovators themselves and find out more about what it means for individual aircraft owners and pilots."

FMI: www.LindberghPrize.org