The Italian SkySpark plane is totally electric, eerily quiet and has just broken the world record for emission free flight speed, humming through the air at 250 km/h using some Lithium Polymer batteries and a 75–kW engine. The team’s goal is to build a plane which will fly for over 500 kms at an average speed of 300 km/h, which would make it a very attractive alternative to conventional planes. As long as the price is right of course.

The head of the team is Maurizio Cheli, a former Space Shuttle pilot, which means he should have his feet on the ground and his head in the clouds all right. Er…that didn’t come out exactly right but you know what I mean. Here’s a very cool video of the record attempt (sound comes eventually).

 The goal of the SkySpark project is to design and build a complete “ecological” aircraft. All systems will be entirely electrically powered in order to set a new world record (the aircraft will fly over 500 km at an average speed of 300 km/h). It is a unique project as it sums 3 main competitive factors: * Highly innovative from a technological point of view * Totally “eco-compatible” * Commercially very attractive.