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:

The Pipistrel Velis Electro is a pioneering electric aircraft, being the first to receive type certification from EASA (2020) and an FAA exemption (2024) for flight training in the U.S.
Designed primarily as a trainer, it offers significant advantages for flight schools including reduced operating costs, quieter flights, and simplified controls, making it attractive for pilot training.
Despite current limitations in flight endurance (approximately 50 minutes with reserves) and charging time, the aircraft's attributes are driving its adoption in educational and flight training programs.
The Velis Electro's successful integration into the aviation market represents a pivotal step towards mainstream electric power in general aviation, with future battery advancements expected to further expand 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.