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:
- Community aviation groups are actively converting and building electric aircraft (e.g., the eXenos) as educational tools, successfully achieving first flights and inspiring young aviators.
- Early adopters of electric aircraft, such as the Pivotal BlackFly, find them remarkably simple to operate and maintain compared to conventional planes, making flying more accessible, sometimes even without a traditional pilot's certificate.
- The market for electric aircraft is rapidly expanding with various models, signaling a future of widespread adoption due to their simplicity, lower maintenance, and potential for sustainable operation.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
See a mistake? Contact us.
