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 pioneered electric aviation, becoming the first electric aircraft to receive EASA certification in 2020.
In March 2024, the FAA issued an exemption allowing the Velis Electro to be used for flight training in the U.S., a significant step for electric aircraft adoption.
The Velis Electro offers advantages such as quieter operation, zero emissions, and lower operating costs, making it attractive for flight schools despite its current limited flight endurance (around 50 minutes plus reserves).
Its integration into flight training in the U.S. signals a growing shift towards electric power in general aviation, with anticipated future advancements in battery technology further expanding its capabilities.

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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.