Team Zen pilot and engineer Ben Biggs has set a new benchmark in electric drone performance, developing a custom-built aircraft that has achieved a Guinness World Record speed of 626.4 km/h. Designed, built, and flown by Ben, the project represents one of the fastest propeller-driven electric drones ever recorded.
Beyond the official record run, further testing demonstrated even greater performance. The aircraft reached an unofficial top speed of 661 km/h, with a maximum downwind speed of 694 km/h, highlighting the extraordinary capability of the platform.
Extreme Performance Through Individual Engineering
Despite its extreme speed, the drone weighs just 2 kg and produces up to 16 kW of peak power, powered by a 1600 mAh 14S LiPo battery. Every aspect of the aircraft, from its 3D printed airframe to the propulsion system and internal electronics, has been engineered specifically to withstand the aerodynamic and structural demands of near-transonic flight.
A Project Built Through Iteration and Persistence
Development of the project began in July 2024, and the current aircraft represents the second major version of the design. Lessons learned from the first iteration informed key improvements in stability, efficiency, and power delivery, enabling the record-breaking performance seen today.
The project reflects months of experimentation, redesign, and flight testing, driven by a clear goal: to explore the absolute limits of what an electric, propeller-driven drone can achieve.
Redefining What’s Possible in Drone Performance
While the Guinness World Record marks a significant milestone, the project goes beyond record-setting alone. The data and experience gained contribute to a deeper understanding of high-speed aerodynamics, electric propulsion, and structural performance in small UAVs.
Through this work, Ben Biggs has demonstrated what is possible when individual engineering skill, persistence, and innovation are pushed to their limits, placing him among the leading figures in experimental high-speed drone development.
