3 February 2022
SEMET Aviation is the first flying school in the UK to operate the Pipistrel Velis Electro – and it’s offering a ‘Green PPL’ course.
The Velis Electro is the world’s first – and so far only – type certified electric aircraft.
Blackbushe-based SEMET will use both the Pipistrel Velis Electro and its sistership, the Rotax-powered version of the same airframe, the SW121, to complete the Green PPL syllabus, explained Nick West, one of the directors.
That’s because the Velis Electro is limited in range and endurance with 37 minutes being the expected time in the air before the aircraft starts using up its reserve.
That time does depend on other factors such as temperature and the exercises being undertaken, and may increase as the flight school gains experience with the aircraft. One school in the south of France started with 38 mins flight time but has increased that to over 40 mins.
SEMET points out that the SW121 is also a very efficient aircraft, burning around 18 litres of unleaded avgas or mogas per hour during a typical training session.
“Over the course of a 45 hour PPL, without considering the Electric Velis, this would result in a reduction of nearly three-quarters of a tonne of CO2 compared to a conventional PPL training aircraft!” said the company.
Nick West said they were working closely with the CAA on the PPL course, and it is also making use of flight simulators.
“We’re going from a petrolhead culture to an elecric one – there’s a lot of interest,” added Nick.
What is included in SEMET’s £13,995 Green PPL?
Want to try the Pipisytrel Velis Electro first? SEMET is offering The Electric Flight Experience for £299, which includes a 30 minute briefing and aircraft tour, 30 minutes in the Pipistrel Virtual Reality simulator and a 30 to 40 minute flight in the Pipistrel Velis Electro aircraft.
