The Advanced Air Mobility Institute (AAMI) has announced plans to revive the Pulitzer Trophy Race in autumn 2025, 100 years after its last iteration in 1925.
The competition, aimed at showcasing advancements in electric aviation, is a partnership between AAMI and the National Aeronautic Association (NAA).
The Pulitzer Trophy, originally conceived to promote public trust and interest in aviation during its infancy, will now serve as a platform to highlight the diverse designs and capabilities of modern electric aircraft. According to AAMI, the race will welcome all forms of electric aircraft, including eCTOL, eSTOL, and eVTOL.
Dan Sloat, Founder and President of AAMI, emphasised the symbolic timing of the event. “As we strive to increase public awareness and eventually achieve public acceptance for AAM technologies, we believe that 2025 marks a crucial year in aviation. The centenary is a chance to honour the legacy of aviation pioneers while marking the dawn of the electric age of flight,” he said. “With the FAA having already certified its first zero-emission, fixed-wing electric aircraft, the Pipistrel Velis Electro, the industry is poised for an influx of groundbreaking designs in the coming years.”
Beyond its historical resonance, the race aims to inspire public enthusiasm for advanced air mobility (AAM) technologies, particularly in young engineers.
“A well executed race always has the potential to inspire and hopefully we can win the hearts of young people trying to discern their future career. Encouraging the next generation to excel in their STEM courses certainly won’t hurt anyone!” Sloat explained.
The Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race will feature pilot-led teams navigating a speed-focused course, mirroring the spirit of the original races that tested the mettle of early aviators. The event also underscores the industry’s commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, while celebrating the human element of flight—a quality Sloat views as essential to its enduring appeal.
With plans to host the race in a different U.S. city each year, starting in October 2025, AAMI and the NAA aim to maximise public engagement and awareness.
