Get extra lift from AOPA. Start your free membership trial today! Click here
News & Media AOPA Video

Flying the H55-Powered Bristell B23 Energic

H55—the company launched by members of the Solar Impulse team—is working to bring certified electric propulsion to general aviation. Its first application is the Bristell B23 Energic, a two-seat trainer powered by a dual-motor, liquid-cooled electric system. AOPA Editor Sarah Deener flew the aircraft at DeLand Airport in Florida with H55 test pilot Markus Scherdel, a veteran of the Solar Impulse project, to see how the all-electric trainer performs in real-world conditions. With a one-hour endurance, straightforward operation, and low noise and vibration, the B23 Energic offers a new option for local training, and a glimpse at what may be ahead for electric flight.