AIRBUS : The All Electric E-Fan Aircraft Wins Popular Science Top Honor Award

Airbus Group's all-electric, CO2-free E-Fan aircraft has been recognised by Popular Science magazine with the 2014 Best of What's New Award in the aerospace category. The editors of the publication have selected the two-seat E-Fan - which is dedicated to pilot training - after reviewing thousands of products in search of the top 100 technological innovations of the year. Popular Science is the world's largest science and technology magazine with 6.8 million monthly readers.

"It is an enormous privilege for us to receive this award from Popular Science for the Best of What's New Award", said Jean Botti, Airbus Group Chief Technical Officer. "The E-Fan is a significant step concerning our vision for the future of flight and we are committed to advance electric and hybrid propulsion technology. The E-Fan is a key milestone in Airbus Group's long-term E-aircraft research roadmap."

"For 27 years, Popular Science has honoured the innovations that surprise and amaze us - those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our view of what's possible in the future," said Cliff Ransom, Editor-in-Chief of Popular Science. "The Best of What's New Award is the magazine's top honour, and each of the 100 winners - chosen from among thousands of entrants - is a revolution in its field."

This award is already the second public recognition the E-Fan has received in 2014. In early August, the E-Fan received the prestigious Personal Aircraft Design Academy (PADA) award and trophy at the AirVenture Oshkosh Airshow in the United States. The PADA Trophy is awarded each year by the Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency (CAFE) Foundation to the world's best personal aircraft designers and engineers.

Although the project is relatively new, having been in existence only two years, the E-Fan demonstrator aircraft already has performed more than 60 test flights since March 2014, including successful demonstrations at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK before thousands of attendees. The aircraft creates zero emissions in flight and on the ground, with an electric taxiing system and a significant noise level reduction, providing advantages to airports. Next steps for the E-Fan design team include ensuring the development, certification and production of the aircraft, for which a production concept - the E-Fan 2.0 - has been proposed by Airbus Group and its partners.

Airbus Group is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2013, the Group - comprising Airbus, Airbus Defence and Space and Airbus Helicopters - generated revenues of € 57.6 billion (restated) and employed a workforce of around 139,000 (restated).