Eco-Aviation Foundation International has taken delivery of the first Velis Electro to be used for flight training purposes under an FAA airworthiness exemption.
The purchase makes the Velis Electro the first FAA-exempt light sport electric aircraft at the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) in California, according to Pipistrel officials.
The foundation is expecting the arrival of its second Velis Electro in November 2024, according to company officials.
Eco-Aviation Foundation is launching the Eco Flight Ground School, as well as an associated scholarship initiative in collaboration with local youth-focused community centers. These scholarships will fully fund private pilot ground school courses, including the complete FAA-approved curriculum and training on electric aircraft technologies, officials noted. Additionally, scholarship recipients will have the cost of their FAA written test at a local testing center covered.
“This aircraft is not just a symbol of innovation and the future of clean aviation, but a functional tool to empower the next generation of aviation professionals,” said Scott Burgess, president of Eco-Aviation Foundation International. “While we’re proud to launch these efforts in Santa Monica, we anticipate that flight schools everywhere will embrace this opportunity to engage in similar efforts. The foundation plans to help facilitate many of these initiatives.”
In addition to the Eco Flight Ground School and flight training, “discovery flights” in the Velis Electro will provide hands-on, educational experiences for students and others in the community, he continued. These flights are designed to inspire and educate community members about the possibilities within the aviation sector, particularly those who may not have previously considered it as a viable career path.
“We are proud to see the Pipistrel Velis Electro being used to train students, preparing them for the future of aviation,” said Tricia Steel, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing for Textron eAviation. “This Eco-Aviation Foundation International’s initiative not only equips future aviators with experience on next-generation power systems, but also plays a crucial role in creating cleaner and quieter communities. This purchase underscores another step forward in the continued adoption of sustainable solutions worldwide.”
Earlier this year, the FAA granted a light-sport aircraft (LSA) airworthiness exemption for the Pipistrel Velis Electro, enabling flight training in an electric aircraft within the United States.
For more information: Pipistrel-Aircraft.com, Eco-Aviation.org
Worth a try, wish them good luck.
Electricity in California costs more than double the US national average. If “100% renewable” is used (meaning dependence on expensive, ugly, intermittent solar and wind) this airplane’s brief flight will cost even more. The vast majority of electric power in California comes from good-old dino-fuel, aka natural gas. The airplane is also not ideal for larger pilots or those wanting to go on a cross-country flight, and return the same day, due to the long wait for the batteries to recharge. This school would be better advised to get low-cost, ethanol-free. lead-free mogas onto its field and buy Rotax-powered versions of the same plane.
And, here in Northern CA, the PGE electricity cost is $0.39 per kWhr.
But, charging an aircraft or EV battery will most probably put the cost into the 2nd tier, at $0.49 per kWhr.
So driving an EV here costs more to drive than a gas powered car, even with $4 gas.!
And the current E-aircraft are ‘cute’ toys. Also, the charging equipment and utility connections cost $100k or more.! [ that would buy a LOT of avgas ]