From June 27 to July 5, 2025, the sky above the Varese Prealps was the setting for the sixth edition of EGlide, an international competition for gliders with auxiliary electric propulsion, organized by the Aero Club Adele Orsi (ACAO) at the Calcinate del Pesce airport (VA).
An innovative and highly technical competition that successfully combined competitive spirit with respect for the environment, thanks to the use of electric powered aircraft and a set of rules, still in the experimental phase, designed to reward efficiency, strategy, and sustainability.
A challenge between performance, strategy, and compliance with energy regulations.
The EGlide format stipulates that each pilot has a limited amount of energy available for use by the electric motor during the race day, proportional to the weight of each glider. Excessive use of the energy reserve results in penalties, forcing competitors to plan each phase of the flight with extreme care.
The competition took place on tasks that touched on the most picturesque Alpine and pre-Alpine areas of Lombardy, including thermally active plains and more complex terrain. Extremely variable weather conditions and heat that was sometimes almost unbearable, challenged the decision-making skills of the pilots and the efficiency of their gliders.
A cheerful atmosphere and a spirit of friendship and collaboration among the pilots, who spent their days sharing convivial moments and meeting to reflect on the future of this competition format and its potential for growth.
A competition that is definitely worth repeating in the future!
Click here for the official rankings. Below is a selection of beautiful photos taken by various photographers, including Phin De Benedictis, Luka Artelj, and other friends of ACAO.
