The Dream of Electric Flight

From the electric airship (1884) to the Green Flight Challenge (2011)

The dream of silent, pollution-free flying is now a reality. The first type-certificated aircraft with electric propulsion has been in production now since 2004 and the Airbus parent company EADS has recently tabled a radical design concept for future commercial airliners powered by electricity.
We take a look at the emerging technology and the NASA-funded (now also Google) ‘Green Flight Challenge’ eco-aircraft competition, with prize money of 1.65 million dollars up for grabs it promises to be the most rewarding aviation contest yet devised.