Pipistrel Velis Electro: world’s first type certified electric aircraft

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has certified the Pipistrel Velis Electro, the first type certification worldwide of a fully electric aircraft.     

The Velis Electro is a two-seater aircraft intended primarily for pilot training. Slovenia-based  Pipistrel is a leading small aircraft designer and manufacturer, specialised in energy-efficient and affordable high-performance aircraft. The Velis Electro joins a product line-up of similar, but conventionally powered, aircraft.

The certification, completed in less than three years, was only possible in the time-frame because of close cooperation between Pipistrel and EASA.

The aircraft is powered by the first certified electrical engine, the E-811-268MVLC, certified by EASA for Pipistrel on May 18, 2020.

“The type certification of the Pipistrel Velis Electro is the first step towards the commercial use of electric aircraft, which is needed to make emission-free aviation feasible,” said Ivo Boscarol, founder and CEO of Pipistrel Aircraft.

“It is considerably quieter than other aeroplanes and produces no combustion gases at all. It provides optimism, also to other electric aircraft designers, that the type certification of electric engines and aeroplanes is possible.”

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The certification project developed in two streams: firstly the typical certification activities related to the aircraft and, in parallel, a coordinated flight test program using a fleet of (non-certified) Alpha Electros under an EASA permit to fly.

Having the ability to operate a similar aircraft meant the EASA team, which included members from the launch National Aviation Authorities (France’s DGAC FR and Switzerland’s FOCA), had access to operational data necessary for the certification activity, while highlighting the operational needs to enable electric aviation.

Dominique Roland,  Head of the General Aviation Department at EASA said: “For EASA, the type certification of this aircraft marks a significant dual milestone: on May 18, 2020 we type certified its engine as the first electric engine – now we have followed up with the first type certification of a plane flying that engine.

“This was a truly ground-breaking project which has yielded many learnings for the future certification of electric engines and aircraft, undoubtedly a growth area in coming years in line with the aims of environmental protection.”

During the course of these projects EASA gained first-hand experience in electric flight, learning more about batteries and their management systems, as well as electrical engine power units. This information has been used to develop the E&HPS Special Condition to further enable electric flight.

“This is an exciting breakthrough,” said EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky. “This is the first electric aircraft EASA has certified but it will certainly not be the last, as the aviation industry pursues new technologies to reduce noise and emissions and to improve the sustainability of aviation.”

Launch customer for the Pipistrel Velis Electro is AlpinAirPlanes. “AlpinAirPlanes GmbH is very proud to be given the great opportunity by Pipistrel to be part of this game-changing journey,” said Marc Corpataux of AlpinAirPlanes.

“With more than 400 flight hours and 25 pilots introduced to the predecessor Alpha Electro, we are convinced of the suitability of electric flight in the daily flight school environment.

“Initially, we will distribute 12 aircraft on 10 airfields over Switzerland. Each base will be equipped with 150 m2 of photovoltaic panels, producing electricity for 12,000 flight hours per year on the Velis Electro. We are happy to offer the most environmental friendly training possible.”

Technical description

The Velis Electro is a full-electric derivative of Pipistrel’s proven Virus SW 121, which is already type certified by EASA. The Electro is equipped with a Pipistrel type certified electric engine E-811-268MVLC (TC No. EASA.E.234), developed with partners EMRAX and EMSISO, and Pipistrel’s three-bladed composite fixed pitch propeller.

The 57.6kW is delivered by 345 VDC electric system built around a liquid-cooled in-house developed high performance battery system, which includes two Pipistrel PB345V124E-L batteries connected in parallel. One battery pack is located in the nose of the aeroplane and the second behind the cabin.

This ensures redundancy of the power source: in case of battery failure, the malfunctioning battery would get automatically disconnected from the system. A single battery is capable of standalone operation and has enough power capability to support climbing and continuation of flight.

The liquid-cooling system consists of a radiator and two electrically driven pumps installed in series, located behind the rear battery pack. An air inlet for the radiator is located on left side of the fuselage, and the warm air leaves the fuselage at the bottom.

Two high power axial fans are installed behind the radiator to allow battery cooling during charging. The fans are automatically controlled and monitored by the BMS for seamless operation.

Batteries can be charged via an onboard charging port using a Pipistrel electric charger.

The 5.7 inch LCD EPSI 570C cockpit display is main source of information to the pilot about the operational state of the electric propulsion system in the aircraft, using intuitive graphics to display all relevant parameters.

Unlike a start-up procedure of a conventionally powered airplane, the Velis Electro is powered-up by four switches and requires no warm-up time before take-off.

Pipistrel Velis Electro

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