Electric flying cars race across Ohio sky in first-of-its-kind event

Eight pilots competed in the Great American Electric Air Race on Oct. 17 at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport in Ohio, where three BlackFly eVTOL flying cars took part in precision, speed and relay events. Dave Cook won the overall crown as the event showcased personal electric flight to families and aviation fans.

Why it matters: - The Great American Electric Air Race gave the public a rare look at electric flying cars competing in real-world conditions. - The event highlighted how eVTOL aircraft are moving from concept to visible demonstration in front of families, children and aviation enthusiasts. - Ohio's aviation history added symbolism, with the race framed as the next step after the Wright brothers' legacy.

What happened: - Eight pilots competed on Oct. 17 at Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport in Springfield, Ohio. - Three Pivotal BlackFly vertical takeoff and landing electric flying cars rotated through racing, recharging and demonstration flights throughout the day. - Test flights began at sunrise, and racing was underway by the time spectators arrived. - The event featured three competitions: a precision landing contest, a timed circuit race and a team relay.

The details: - In the Bull's Eye Bash, Brandon Goff landed 18 inches from dead center to win the precision challenge. - In the Circuit Dash, Tim Lum won the timed race around a distant grain silo and back to the finish. - Lum's win added to a resume that includes more than 1,000 flights in electric aircraft. - Heather Chirtea, described as the nation's first female flying car pilot and owner, staged a playful medal theft after the Circuit Dash victory. - In the Milk Run relay, Quinn Reece and James Robinson won as a paramedic team. - Dave Cook finished in the top three in all three events and was crowned Grand Champion. - Cook is a former championship motorcycle racer, commercial pilot and has more than 9,000 flight hours. - The day also included antique airplanes, helicopter rides, a bouncy house, a photo booth and food trucks. - Families, children and aviation enthusiasts watched the aircraft overhead throughout the event. - The event promoted free media resources, with photos and video available for download. - The announcement included social links for Heather Chirtea on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and X.

Between the lines: - The event was designed as both a race and a public proof point for personal electric aviation. - The combination of competition, entertainment and family attractions suggests organizers were targeting broad public interest, not just aviation specialists. - Chirtea's quote framed the event as evidence that flying cars are already entering public view, not remaining a distant concept.

What's next: - The announcement pointed readers to more information. - The event's public-facing format suggests future races or demonstrations could build on the same mix of competition and outreach. - The release positioned electric flying car racing as an emerging aviation category with room for more pilots, events and public attention.