Explorer, Velis Club, X-Eye Approved In Very Light Aircraft Category

Pipistrel announced that Aerocivil, the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority, issued the type certificate for its Pipistrel Explorer, Velis Club, and the X-Eye, a variant of the 121A Explorer modified for aerial surveying.

With the certification, Pipistrel becomes the first company to receive the Colombian Aeronautical Regulation-Very Light Aircraft (RAC-VLA) type certificate from Aerocivil. The achievement reinforces the quality of multiple Pipistrel conventional combustion engine-powered aircraft, and opens new opportunities for customers in Colombia to own Pipistrel aircraft.

The accomplishment also enables the company to strengthen its position in the Colombian market and expand its global footprint.

Gabriel Massey, President and Managing Director of Pipistrel said, "Pipistrel’s successful type certification by Aerocivil marks a crucial step in demonstrating our commitment to meeting international aviation standards. This achievement not only opens up new opportunities in Colombia but also serves as a blueprint for our entry into other markets with similar regulatory frameworks.”

The Explorer model offers excellent performance with minimal power and is suitable for remote operations in fluctuating temperatures over a range of altitudes. It is approved for day and night VFR operations, intentional spins, and is equipped with an IFR-ready avionics suite. The Explorer Virus SW 121A received type certification from EASA in 2021.

The Velis Club is a variant of the Virus SW 121 model, designed for flight training and other applications. The X-Eye aerial surveying aircraft is based on the Explorer 121A model and was developed for X-Eye AG. It offers advanced payload options and special capabilities as a mapping platform for remote sensing missions including pipeline inspections, 3D-modeling, and environmental analysis.

Pipistrel, part of Textron Aviation, is based in Ajdovscina, Slovenia. The company develops electric, hybrid-electric, and conventionally powered aircraft.

FMI:  www.pipistrel-aircraft.com/