Hamilton flew the first public exhibition of its aEro – the first electric aircraft for aerobatics – in Raron, Switzerland this week.
Air Zermatt pilot, Thomas Pfammatter, and aerobatic paragliding champion, Dominique Steffen, the project founders, together with Sylvain Dolla and Nicolas Ivanoff, presented the project to Swiss and international press and aviation fans.
Spectators were first shown a display flight in a fuel-powered plane by Nicolas Ivanoff, Hamilton’s brand ambassador, and then compared noise levels with the quieter Hamilton aEro electric plane. Ivanoff, who tested the electric aircraft earlier in the week, said he felt very lucky to experience this new way of flying and looks forward to the development of his sport.
In his speech to the guests, Sylvain Dolla, CEO of Hamilton, said: “When Thomas and Dominique told us about their project, we immediately felt how passionate and competent they were, and we are convinced that this Hamilton aEro electric plane will make aerobatics accessible to a larger and younger public”.
Hamilton says its ongoing ties with aviation date back to 1918, when the brand was the official timekeeper for US airmail flights between Washington and New York. In 1926, Admiral Richard E. Byrd used a Hamilton watch during his historical flight over the North Pole. In the 30’s, Hamilton was the official watch of TWA, Eastern, United and Northwest airlines.
Today, the brand claims it is still strongly involved with the flying world, and equips many squadrons around the world, such as the SnowBirds in Canada, South Korea’s 123rd Squadron and the Patrulla Aspa in Spain, among others. Hamilton joined forces with Air Zermatt to develop the limited edition Khaki Flight Timer and Khaki Takeoff pilot watches.
