Pipistrel on October 31 announced its first delivery in Canada of its all-electric, two-seat Velis Electro aircraft. The Canadian customer, the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) at the University of Waterloo and its partner Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC), will use the Velis Electro to increase their collaborative research to evaluate battery powered electric flight in Canada.

Pipistrel continues to work with Transport Canada toward certification of the Velis Electro. Back in April 2022, Textron Inc. completed the purchase of Pipistrel d.o.o, Pipistrel Vertical Solutions d.o.o. and Pipistrel Italia S.R.L., known collectively as Pipistrel. Under the terms of the transaction, Textron purchased Pipistrel for a cash price of approximately €218 million ($375 million in Canadian funds).

“We are privileged to have the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics as our first Canadian customer for the Velis Electro,” said Gabriel Massey, president and managing director at Pipistrel. “This delivery is not only an exciting milestone for Pipistrel and the global presence of the Velis Electro, but also represents a steppingstone for Canada’s strategic investments to promote a greener aerospace industry and economy.”

The Velis Electro is described by Pipistrel as the world’s first and currently only in service, commercially available, type-certified electric aircraft. It earned EASA type-certification in 2020 and UK CAA certification in 2022. Pipistrel is currently pursuing a FAA airworthiness certificate for the Velis Electro.

Pipistrel states the two-seat, fixed-wing Velis Electro produces noise levels of only 60 decibels and no exhaust gases, while cruising at an average speed of 90 knots and covering a range of 108 nautical miles at a payload weight of 172 kg (378 lb).

(Photo: Textron)