Pipistrel, based in Slovenia, is a light aircraft manufacturer who built the world’s first and only classified electric aircraft, known as the Velis Electro.
Electro Velis
Brian Kish / Florida Institute of Technology
Source: Pipistrel
Velis Electro is a two-seater electric aircraft intended for flight training and has received a type certificate from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, which means that its design meets established airworthiness and safety standards. by national law.
Inside the Velis Electro plane
pipistrel
Source: EASA
Velis has been designed to reduce noise and carbon emissions without compromising safety. As part of the certification process, it has demonstrated its ability to perform in cold, hot and rainy weather, and withstand collision loads, breakdowns and thermal runaway events from the battery.
Electro Velis
pipistrel
Source: Pipistrel
The aircraft is powered by an innovative liquid-cooled electrical system, which runs on two batteries. One is in the nose and the second is behind the cabin.
Velis Battery
pipistrel
Source: Pipistrel
While the aircraft can run on a single battery, a second is needed in the event of a malfunction or failure of the main battery.
Velis motor and battery
Florida Institute of Technology
Source: Pipistrel
Velis has a flight range of one hour with a reserve of 20 minutes. Each aircraft comes with a Pipistrel electric charger that connects to the aircraft’s batteries, which take an hour to charge.
The sails are loaded after the first flight
Florida Institute of Technology
Source: Pipistrel, NEBO Air
The aircraft can be turned on “without hesitation” via four switches and maintains a streamlined pilot interface in the cockpit, which means it looks and feels similar to a fuel-powered aircraft.
Cockpit sails
pipistrel
Source: Pipistrel
Velis’ low number of moving parts reduces maintenance costs and the integrated continuous aircraft health monitoring system reduces the likelihood of malfunctions.
Velis charge display
pipistrel
Source: Pipistrel
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