Info Integrating the Pipistrel Velis Electro (electric aircraft) into PPL training: what you need to know

Electric aviation is an integral part of the initial training of many pilots in Europe, with more than 550 licensed pilots already! The Pipistrel Velis Electro, the first electric aircraft certified by EASA, is now used in many flying clubs and flight schools for initial pilot training.

But how can this electric aircraft be practically integrated into the PPL training program?
How far can we go in using this aircraft to train student pilots? What are the regulatory and operational constraints?

To answer these questions, we have designed a guide for instructors, training managers, school leaders, and also student pilots.

Why train on an electric aircraft?

The Pipistrel Velis Electro offers a quiet, vibration-free flying experience, comfortable for both student and instructor. Thanks to its simplified start-up procedure and reduced maintenance requirements, every minute of flight is optimized, with minimal downtime.

But above all, thanks to its aerodynamic efficiency, it is highly demonstrative in initial training. It fully meets the pedagogical requirements of the PPL program, particularly for:

This guide explains how to distribute training hours between electric and thermal aircraft in order to offer student pilots a complete and coherent program. It also includes a section on the transition from electric to thermal aircraft. No worries, it is smooth and straightforward!

Towards Cleaner Pilot Training

During their training, a professional pilot will emit around 41 tons of CO₂. By combining the Velis Electro with low-consumption thermal aircraft such as the Velis Club, Explorer, B23, Elixir, or DR400 Rotax, CO₂ emissions from pilot training can be reduced by 72% without any compromise on training quality.
More information on this topic can be found in our article: The CO₂ Cost of Airline Pilot Training.

What Our Guide Contains

This guide has been designed to help you integrate the Velis Electro into your fleet. It describes the aircraft’s performance, the types of flights that can be carried out electrically, and its complementarity with eco-efficient thermal aircraft.

The guide provides a step-by-step breakdown of how to use the electric aircraft in PPL training. In total, 20 hours and 45 minutes of the PPL syllabus can be completed on the Velis Electro. By offsetting the remaining flight hours through the Aero4Good initiative, student pilots can achieve a Net Zero-Emission PPL.

Download the Guide

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