Stop by the Pitt Meadows airport near Vancouver soon and you might catch a glimpse of what Pipistrel Aircraft hopes is the future of flight. The Slovenia aircraft builder’s Canadian distributor, Pipistrel Aircraft Canada Inc., recently delivered the first completely electric two-seat Alpha Electro to a customer near Vancouver.
Pipistrel’s First Electric Airplane Arrives in Canada
Key Takeaways:
- Pipistrel has delivered its first all-electric, two-seat Alpha Electro aircraft to a customer in Canada, where it is nearing final approval in the advanced ultra-light category.
- The Alpha Electro boasts an 80-hp equivalent electric motor, enabling an hour of flight time (including touch-and-goes) with a 45-minute recharge, near-silent operation, and zero emissions.
- Commercial operation of the Alpha Electro in the U.S. is currently restricted because the FAA's Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) definition specifies a "reciprocating" engine.
- Pipistrel plans an aggressive lobbying campaign to convince the FAA and Congress to remove the word "reciprocating" from the LSA definition, which would allow the Alpha Electro to operate more freely in the U.S.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
