ZEPHATALI WALSH MAKES HISTORY AS WINNER OF THE WORLD'S FIRST FLYING CAR RACE
Future Flight|October 2022
A landmark moment in both the history of motorsport and the genesis of the flying car mobility revolution has been made in the salt flats of South Australia. Airspeeder pilot Zephatali Walsh beat fellow-competitor Fabio Tischler in a tense and close inaugural EXA remotely piloted race. This was the first time two pilots were given full license to race their 4.1m long eVTOL race-craft blade-to-blade in a fully competitive race setting.
ZEPHATALI WALSH MAKES HISTORY AS WINNER OF THE WORLD'S FIRST FLYING CAR RACE

No concession to preserving their vehicles was made as the competitive instincts of born racers was on display from the very beginning of this historic first race, staged above the pink salt flats of Lake Lochiel near Adelaide, South Australia. Every second of the 270+ test flights and thousands of hours of simulator preparation informed both competitors approach to securing their place in the history of motorsport and flying cars as the next great coming leap in human transportation.

“Every transformative moment in human transportation has been accelerated by motorsport. As we stand on the cusp of the 21st century’s great leap forward in delivering on the promise of flying cars, the role competition plays is as important as ever. For this reason, in winning the world’s first flying car race, Zephatali Walsh has not just made motor sport history but writes his own chapter in the genesis of a mobility revolution. This is just the start, this first race offers only a glimpse of our promise to deliver the most progressive, transformative and exciting motorsport in the world. We look forward to delivering many more races and breath-taking moments.”

This skill and commitment was on show from the very beginning, with three overtakes in the first lap alone. The most daring manoeuvre of all was rewarded with the ultimate victory, when Zephatali daringly overtook Tischler who had gone wide at Turn 1.

On losing speed on exit, Zephatali made his move flying just one meter below his fellow competitor to secure the track position that ultimately led to this historic maiden victory. This move illustrated the scope for drama when racing craft at close quarters with F1 car turning ability and the third dimension of vertical manoverability.

Esta historia es de la edición October 2022 de Future Flight.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición October 2022 de Future Flight.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE FUTURE FLIGHTVer todo
Sustainability and connectivity: top of the agenda for private jet industry
Future Flight

Sustainability and connectivity: top of the agenda for private jet industry

The executive aviation industry is currently facing a paradox. On the one hand, demand for private flying remains strong, propelled by the rise in the number of high-net-worth individuals around the globe. While on the other hand, the industry is increasingly being questioned by the public, the media, and politicians over its environmental credentials.

time-read
5 minutos  |
June 2024
NASA, ESA join forces to land European Rover on Mars
Future Flight

NASA, ESA join forces to land European Rover on Mars

The space agencies signed a new agreement that will see NASA supply heating units for the Rosalind Franklin rover, which could launch as soon as 2028.

time-read
4 minutos  |
June 2024
Long-awaited Starliner launch breaks a six-decade drought
Future Flight

Long-awaited Starliner launch breaks a six-decade drought

An Atlas rocket has launched with astronauts aboard for the first time since Gordon Cooper's final Mercury flight in his Faith 7 capsule on 15 May 1963, powered by an Atlas LV-3B 130-D. The Atlas V rocket that launched on 5 June, manufactured by United Launch Alliance and powered at liftoff by a Russian-built RD-180 first-stage engine, carried Boeing's Starliner crew ferry ship to orbit following multiple launch delays over the past several days.

time-read
6 minutos  |
June 2024
Non-CO2 emissions measured in commercial aircraft 100% SAF test
Future Flight

Non-CO2 emissions measured in commercial aircraft 100% SAF test

Results from the world's first in-flight study of the impact of using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on both engines of a commercial aircraft show a reduction in soot particles and formation of contrail ice crystals compared to using conventional Jet A-1 fuel.

time-read
2 minutos  |
June 2024
Avfuel, Neste sign SAF supply increase extension
Future Flight

Avfuel, Neste sign SAF supply increase extension

Avfuel and renewable fuel producer Neste have finalised an extension to their agreement regarding the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and set a framework for the deal through 2027.

time-read
2 minutos  |
June 2024
First flight for Electra hybrid  'blown lift' aircraft
Future Flight

First flight for Electra hybrid 'blown lift' aircraft

Electra's blown-lift design uses eight electric motors to increase wing lift, allowing the eSTOL aircraft to take-off and land in just one-tenth of the space needed by conventional aircraft.

time-read
1 min  |
June 2024
Saudi Arabia's groundbreaking air taxi trial set to transform Hajj travel for pilgrims
Future Flight

Saudi Arabia's groundbreaking air taxi trial set to transform Hajj travel for pilgrims

In a historic move, Saudi Arabia has successfully conducted its first air taxi trial in Mecca, setting the stage for deployment in the coming years and transforming Hajj transportation for pilgrims.

time-read
2 minutos  |
June 2024
Lilium, French Government in 'advanced' talks for eVTOL jet manufacturing hub
Future Flight

Lilium, French Government in 'advanced' talks for eVTOL jet manufacturing hub

The German manufacturer says it is in ‘advanced discussions’ with the French government to add a high-volume aircraft production facility in France, citing it as an attractive market for its flagship Lilium Jet. The company plans for the aircraft to enter service in 2026.

time-read
1 min  |
June 2024
Joby partners with Mukamalah Aviation
Future Flight

Joby partners with Mukamalah Aviation

Last month Joby Aviation announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mukamalah, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, the operator of the world's largest fleet of corporate aircraft, to introduce Joby's aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

time-read
3 minutos  |
June 2024
Joby acquires autonomous flight developer Xwing
Future Flight

Joby acquires autonomous flight developer Xwing

Joby Aviation is one of many electric vertical take-off and landinng (eVTOL) air tax manufacturers that predicts autonomy will be the driver of ubiquitity for advanced air mobility (AAM) services and the company is placing its money where its mouth is.

time-read
3 minutos  |
June 2024