Annika Pexton curiously watched George Steed work on a Sonex Xenos kit.
“That doesn’t look that hard,” the 13-year-old Pexton told Steed, technical counselor for Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 406 in Bremerton, Washington.
Pilots Generating Buzz With Electric Aircraft
New cohort of aviators is making use of designs—and some have even taken ownership.
![Pipistrel’s Velis Electro [Credit: Jožef Kovačič]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Pipistrel.jpeg)
Key Takeaways:
- EAA Chapter 406 successfully converted a glider into an electric motor glider (eXenos), demonstrating the simplicity of electric aircraft and their potential as teaching tools for young aviators.
- Early adopters, such as the Chirtea family flying Pivotal's BlackFly, find electric aircraft exceptionally easy to pilot and maintain, despite current limitations in range and challenges with insurance.
- The nascent but growing market for diverse electric aircraft, including those for flight training and personal use, points toward a future of increased accessibility and widespread adoption in aviation.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
