Velis Electro, Explorer, and Velis Cub Earn Type Certificate Validation

Pipistrel recently announced that Transport Canada has validated the type certificates for its Velis Electro, Explorer, and Velis Club aircraft. The decision opens doors for Canadian operators looking for sustainable trainers and marks a notable step for Pipistrel’s ever-expanding presence in regulated training environments.

"Transport Canada's validation of these aircraft type certificates serve as an acknowledgement of our teams engineering expertise and highlights the growing international recognition of our products in key global markets,” said Gabriel Massey, President and Managing Director of Pipistrel. “This validation not only strengthens our position in the Canadian market, but also significantly enhances flight training capabilities across the country.”

The Velis Electro enters the Canadian market with a strong record in Europe and the United States. It heals some of the typical community woes that come with increased flight training operations, featuring a 60-decibel noise profile and zero operational emissions. It achieved EASA type certification in 2020, UK CAA certification in 2022, and FAA LSA exemption in 2024, making it one of the first practical electric trainers.

Pipistrel delivered Canada’s first Velis Electro in 2022 to the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics and the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre. That aircraft remains a key part of ongoing research focused on evaluating electric flight training operations, including battery performance, charging requirements, and maintenance planning under typical school workloads.

The Pipistrel Explorer comes with a slightly different mission profile that boosts performance in various altitudes and climates. It is approved for day and night VFR, intentional spins, and IFR flying. Its lineage dates to the Virus SW 121’s approval in 2016, with the updated Explorer configuration earning EASA certification in 2021.

The Velis Club was also named in the validation package, providing a conventionally-powered trainer option that upholds Pipistrel’s emphasis on efficiency. The model complements the Electro and Explorer with similar ergonomics, avionics, and permissions, achieving initial EASA certification in 2020.

FMI: www.pipistrel-aircraft.com