8 October 2024
Fourteen UK airfields have resident electric aircraft, according to the British Business General Aviation Association (BBGA) which is championing innovation in General Aviation.
Fairoaks Airport in Chobham, Surrey is the latest to receive a Pipistrel Velis Electro, the only electric aircraft certificated for passenger flight by the UK CAA.
The leased aircraft has joined Synergy Flight Training from UK Pipistrel distributor NEBOair.
Synergy Flight Training and sustainability experts 4AIR are mirroring a similar operation at SaxonAir Aviation Training at Norwich Airport.
Other airfields with NEBOair electric aircraft are:
AeroVolt charging point at Sandown Airfield
Supporting the infrastructure needed for all-electric aircraft, Aerovolt is a specialist in smart charging for electric aircraft. Aerovolt has charging points installed or planned at 36 UK airfields and airports.
Lydd, Shoreham, Henstridge, Dunkeswell, Sandown, Bournemouth and Snowdonia Aerospace Centre will be joined by Goodwood, Thruxton and Blackbushe Airports in the next few months.
Others committing to installations include Balado, Deanland Airfield, Derby, Isle of Man Ronaldsway, Kittyhawk, Lee-on-Solent, North Moor, Shobdon, Tatenhill and Teesside.
Synergy Flight Training is now actively recruiting flying instructors to fly the Velis at Fairoaks Airport and is offering instructor rating sponsorships for commercially rated pilots, said Glen Heavens, CEO, who will also be instructing on the aircraft.
SaxonAir at Norwich also operates a Pipistrel Velis Electro
SaxonAir at Norwich operated nearly 150 hours PPL training in the Pipistrels (the enhanced Explorer and Velis Electro) over the summer – 30 hours (20%) in the Velis.
SaxonAir CEO and Deputy Chair of BBGA Alex Durand said, “You can advance flying training with the Pipistrel Velis Electro and we are seeing that people who are interested in flying, but haven’t learned, are enthusiastic to fly an electric trainer aircraft.”
In February, SaxonAir announced the completion of the Air League’s inaugural Electric Flying Scholarship, hosted within its Klyne Business Aviation Centre, using power direct generated from its recent rooftop solar PV installation.
The BBGA is the UK’s national trade body representing business and general aviation. Member companies span all facets of the business aviation sector including airports, corporate flight departments, operators, aviation services organisations and aircraft manufacturers.
