U.S. Aviation First: Private Pilot Certificate Earned Using an Electric Airplane

For the first time in the U.S., a student pilot has earned a private pilot certificate using an electric aircraft.

Friday, May 06, 2022 at 03:10 PM ET

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Pipistrel’s Velis Electro is the world’s first type certified electric airplane. [Courtesy: Right Rudder Aviation/Andrew Chan]

Key Takeaways:

For the first time in the U.S., a student pilot has earned a private pilot certificate using an electric aircraft.

Shane Fisher flew his check ride in a Pipistrel Velis Electro on March 6 at Right Rudder Aviaton’s flight school at Florida’s Inverness Airport (KINF). The two-seat trainer is the world’s first electric-powered airplane to receive a type certificate. It was certificated by EASA in 2020, but in the U.S., it operates under light sport experimental aircraft rules.