Pipistrel Velis Electro May Herald New Era of Flight Training

Electric aircraft boasts EASA certification and recent FAA exemption.

Jonathan Welsh

Monday, September 07, 2026 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Lower fuel reserve rules let the Velis maximize limited battery endurance. [Credit: Frank Galella/Elemental]

Key Takeaways:

Pipistrel's Velis Electro, the first electric aircraft to receive EASA certification in 2020, recently secured an FAA exemption allowing its use for flight training in the U.S.
This FAA exemption marks a significant step for electric aviation, enabling flight schools to utilize the Velis Electro for primary training due to its lower operating costs, quieter operation, and simpler controls.
While currently offering limited endurance and longer charging times, the Velis Electro's environmental benefits and ease of use are expected to attract a wider range of aspiring pilots and pave the way for future advancements in electric aircraft technology.

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Around 2007, when I was heavily into flying radio-controlled aerobatic model airplanes, I outfitted a roughly 20-percent-scale Zlin Z-526 Akrobat model with an electric motor and six-cell lithium-polymer battery pack.

I figured the newer batteries, unlike the nickel-cadmium cells I had experimented with for years, would provide enough power and endurance to complete the demanding aerobatic sequences typically featured at contests. I was also looking for a level of performance that would impress my casual Sunday sport-flyer friends, who were not yet convinced of electric power’s potential. Switching to electric motors from the single-cylinder two-stroke and four-stroke internal combustion engines we had used for decades was a big step among modelers. We used electric power for the occasional self-launching glider but little else.