![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sustainableskies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/pipistel-velis-electro-in-flight.jpg\")
<\/a>Pipistrel’s Velis Electro is the only certified two-seat electric trainer in the world<\/p><\/div>\n
In a press release, Taja Boscarol, Co-owner, Head of PR, and Co-director of Pipistrel d.o.o. (equivalent to a limited liability corporation in America), notes the Velis Electro remains the only type-certified electrically powered airplane in the world<\/a>.\u00a0 Recipient of the first such recognition for a battery-powered aircraft, the Velis has received other accolades.<\/p>\n Recognition includes a 2020 Plane of the Year award from Plane & Pilot <\/em>magazine<\/a>, along with the Epic E1000, a very different craft. The magazine lauded the Velis Electro\u2019s unobtrusive nature, both in noise and emissions.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re making a lot of noise about this plane, true, and that\u2019s a bit out of place for the Velis Electro, which at certification became the quietest powered trainer in the skies. And as much talk as there is on the politics of emissions and the problem of our leaded fuel, the Velis produces zero emissions and is incredibly quiet, both qualities that will help propel light aviation deep into the millennium.\u201d<\/p>\n Its lower noise has enabled flight schools and flying clubs in locations including aerodromes with nearby populations such as Toussus and Noble in France to now resume even weekend flying.\u00a0 Expanded time for instruction and operations will make flight schools more profitable and provide added opportunities for bring more people into the green aviation community.<\/p>\n Certified Velis Electro includes certified E-811 motor, another world first<\/p><\/div>\n Taja explains, \u201cThe simplicity of operation and drastically reduced maintenance of the electrical powerplant translates into lower operating costs and therefore cheaper flight hour costs.\u201d\u00a0 Again, this provides greater opportunities for bringing more people into aviation as a recreation.<\/p>\n Emissions, something that can\u2019t be ignored with conventional aircraft, are a major problem for those living near airports.\u00a0 One woman who lives near your editor has made it her crusade to eliminate air traffic around the Hillsboro, Oregon airport (HIO).\u00a0 She cites the use of 100-octane low-lead fuel as a pollution hazard for people living nearby.\u00a0 Despite its understandable annoyance for small aircraft pilots, her point is well taken.\u00a0 Pollution, along with noise, will be a determining factor in whether our aircraft are able to use local fields.<\/p>\n As with all electric aircraft, Taja points out, \u201cEmissions can be cut practically to zero, especially when electricity is generated from renewable sources.\u00a0 This is the case of the aerodromes of Fribourg-Ecuvillens in Switzerland and Aix Les Milles in southern France, which implemented solar energy chargers for electric aircraft and have recently become the home bases of their first Velis Electros.\u00a0 Each Velis Electro, compared to emissions from conventional two-seat trainers, elimates pollution from burning 20 kilograms (44 pounds or 7.33 gallons per hour).<\/p>\n Produced at a current rate of five per month, six Electros have been ordered by Pipistrel\u2019s \u201claunch customer,\u201d the French Aeronautical Federation (FFA).\u00a0 Green Aerolease<\/a> has an additional 50 on order, plus 150 on option.<\/p>\n Alpin Airplanes, a Swiss flight training operation (FTO) flies 13 so far in 10 FTOs, averaging about 150 flight hours per month.\u00a0 Rapid accumulation of flight hours will help sell more electric Pipistels, already popular in nine countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.\u00a0 The entire fleet has logged over 1,500 hours, saving 94,000 kilograms of CO2 from being dispersed into the atmosphere compared to \u201colder gas-guzzling trainers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>Numbers and Achievements<\/strong><\/h4>\n