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:
- Electric aircraft are demonstrating increasing viability through projects like the EAA Chapter 406's eXenos conversion (involving young builders) and the early adoption of personal eVTOLs such as the Pivotal BlackFly.
- Pilots consistently emphasize the remarkable simplicity and ease of operating and maintaining electric aircraft compared to their conventional counterparts.
- Despite current limitations in range and challenges with insurance, the electric aviation market is actively expanding, engaging new generations through educational initiatives and new models entering service.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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