Britain's first electric-powered airplane makes its maiden flight

Britain's first electric-powered aeroplane has made its maiden flight - marking a 'milestone' in the future of air travel.

The single-seat Sherwood eKub took to the skies relying solely on a battery to propel it from the runway.

It is believed to be the first-ever flight by a British designed and built, all-electric conventional aeroplane.

Developed at Cranfield University in Beds, the plane made an initial 10-minute flight followed by a second 22-minute flight.

Dr Guy Gratton, an associate professor of aviation at the university, piloted the aircraft and said it was "one of the most exciting things I've ever done".

He said: “The aeroplane flew very much as predicted from our analysis and ground tests; this is a new way of flying, and we’re at the start of a steep learning curve on electric flight.

"As a test pilot, an aeronautical engineer, and as a researcher, learning all about this new class of aeroplane is one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done.”

Dr Gratton told aviation magazine Flyer he had reached 2,000ft and separately flown at 80mph in the plane.

The eKub had its first test flight from Little Snoring airfield in Norfolk on April 21.

It has been developed by a consortium of Cranfield University, The Light Aircraft Company, Flylight Airsports and CDO.

Paul Hendry Smith, director of The Light Aircraft Company, said: “This is clearly a milestone in electrically powered flight and we are delighted to be at the cutting edge.”