Sustainability and Environment
UK's Electric Aircraft Fleet Grows, Mainly for Training
Pipistrel's Velis Electro two-seater is the only electric aircraft certified for passenger flights in the UK
Pipistrel Velis Electro electric aircraft
Growing numbers of Pipistrel's Velis Electro electric aircraft are now being used for flight training in the UK. © BBGA

Electric aircraft are already permanently based at 14 UK airfields, according to the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA). On Monday, the group announced that another 36 airfields around the country are in the process of installing electric charging equipment to meet anticipated demand for aircraft with no direct carbon emissions from operations.

For now, Pipistrel’s Velis Electro two-seater is the only electric aircraft approved by the UK Civil Aviation Authority for passenger flights. The aircraft, which is manufactured by Textron eAviation’s Slovenia-based subsidiary, is increasingly in demand as a flight training platform.