Pipistrel’s Velis Electro Takes Flight at Santa Monica Airport to Support Training the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals

Ajdovščina, Slovenia, September 24, 2024 - Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that the Eco-Aviation Foundation International, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to promoting clean and quiet aviation worldwide, has taken delivery of the first Velis Electro to be used for flight training purposes under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness exemption. The purchase makes the Velis Electro the first FAA-exempt light sport electric aircraft at the Santa Monica Airport in California.

The Pipistrel Velis Electro is quiet, producing noise levels of only 60 decibels, low cost and user-friendly, making it an ideal solution for flight training with zero carbon emissions. The Foundation is expecting the arrival of its second Velis Electro in November.

In addition to facilitating the purchase of the Velis Electro, the Eco-Aviation Foundation is launching an Eco Flight Ground School, as well as an associated scholarship initiative in collaboration with local youth-focused community centers. These scholarships will fully fund Private Pilot ground school courses, including the complete FAA-approved curriculum and training on electric aircraft technologies. Additionally, scholarship recipients will have the cost of their FAA written test at a local testing center covered.

The Velis Electro aligns with the Foundation’s mission to promote electric aviation and to provide eco-friendly flight training, with a focus on young adults in underserved communities. The Eco Flight Ground School scholarships, in partnership with community youth organizations, open up a wide array of career opportunities in aviation and aerospace for students.

“This aircraft is not just a symbol of innovation and the future of clean aviation, but a functional tool to empower the next generation of aviation professionals," said Scott Burgess, President of Eco-Aviation Foundation International. “While we’re proud to launch these efforts in Santa Monica, we anticipate that flight schools everywhere will embrace this opportunity to engage in similar efforts. The Foundation plans to help facilitate many of these initiatives.”

In addition to the Eco Flight Ground School and flight training, “discovery flights” in the Velis Electro will provide hands-on, educational experiences for students and others in the community. These flights are designed to inspire and educate community members about the possibilities within the aviation sector, particularly those who may not have previously considered it as a viable career path.

"We are proud to see the Pipistrel Velis Electro being used to train students, preparing them for the future of aviation," said Tricia Steel, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing for Textron eAviation Inc. "This Eco-Aviation Foundation International initiative not only equips future aviators with experience on next-generation power systems, but also plays a crucial role in creating cleaner and quieter communities. This purchase underscores another step forward in the continued adoption of sustainable solutions worldwide."

Earlier this year, the FAA granted a light-sport aircraft (LSA) airworthiness exemption for the Pipistrel Velis Electro, enabling flight training in an electric aircraft within the United States.