Aircraft
Pipistrel Seeking To Fly Electric Velis Trainer Under New FAA Rules
Pipistrel hopes to begin deliveries of its Velis Electro electric-powered training airplane in the U.S. next year after changes to FAA regulations.
Charging time for the Pipistrel Velis Electro is one hour, and the electric-powered airplane can fly for one hour with a legal reserve. (Photo: Matt Thurber/AIN)
Charging time for the Pipistrel Velis Electro is one hour, and the electric-powered airplane can fly for one hour with a legal reserve. (Photo: Matt Thurber/AIN)

Pipistrel is hoping to export its electrically-powered Velis Electro light aircraft to the U.S. in larger numbers after the FAA implements new regulations that would allow it to be operated more easily there, the company announced yesterday at the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany. This move comes almost two years after it became the first manufacturer to certify an electric aircraft with EASA when the European regulator approved the Velis.

The FAA's new MOSAIC (modernization of special aIrworthiness certification) regulations would make it easier for light aircraft like the Velis Electro to fly in the U.S. without having to go through the burdensome Part 23 certification process. The Velis Electro does fly now in the U.S., but only under an experimental airworthiness certificate.

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