e-flight-journal

Pipistrel is now offering its electric propulsion systems to aircraft designers and manufacturers globally.

The E-811 motor is certified for use in General Aviation by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in May 2020. It is developed for Pipiestral’s Velis electric LSA which was certified by EASA in June 2020 . The E-811 motor combines a liquid-cooled electric motor and a liquid-cooled power controller. Offering 57.6 kW (77 hp) of peak power, and 49.2 kW (66 hp) of maximum continuous power, the E-811 is the ideal powerplant for powered sailplanes, UL, LSA and VLA aircraft, where a Type Certified Engine is required. It may also be installed on Part-23 Level 1 aircraft and other distributed propulsion applications by applying the corresponding special conditions.

For more information about the motor and the order procedure, you can visit https://www.pipistrel-aircraft.com/aircraft/electric-flight/e-811/

June 10, 2020: After years of intensive research and several successful award-winning electric aircraft models developed since 2007, Pipistrel has today achieved a breakthrough feat in aviation history, having type certified the battery powered Velis Electro. Working in tight collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, whose engagement was essential to reaching this unprecedented milestone.

“The type certification of the Pipistrel Velis Electro is the first step towards the commercial use of electric aircraft, which is needed to make emission-free aviation feasible. It is considerably quieter than other aeroplanes and produces no combustion gases at all,” said Mr Ivo Boscarol, founder and CEO of Pipistrel Aircraft. “It confirms and provides optimism, also to other electric aircraft designers, that the Type Certificate of electric engines and aeroplanes is possible. The engine, which Pipistrel type certified separately, is also available to other aircraft OEMs. For Pipistrel, this achievement injects additional motivation for the future eVTOL and multi‑seat hydrogen-powered projects. Pipistrel is especially thankful to all our customers for their confidence in our products, which allows us to continue developing these innovative aircraft,” he added.

Mr Dominique Roland, Head of the General Aviation Department at EASA, expressed: “For EASA, the type certification of this aircraft marks a significant dual milestone: on 18^th of May 2020 we type certified its engine as the first electric engine – now we have followed up with the first type certification of a plane flying that engine. This was a truly ground-breaking project which has yielded many learnings for the future certification of electric engines and aircraft, undoubtedly a growth area in coming years in line with the aims of environmental protection.

“It should also be noted that this innovative product was, despite the many challenging aspects, certified in less than 3 years, showing the excellent work performed by Pipistrel and the EASA teams. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the certification team was composed of EASA staff, but included experts from the Swiss and French authorities, in order to prepare and facilitate the entry into service of the Velis Electro in these two countries.”

Pipistrel will deliver the first 31 Velis Electro to customers in 7 different countries already in 2020. Mr Marc B. Corpataux, the launch customer for the Velis Electro, commented: “AlpinAirPlanes GmbH is very proud to be given the great opportunity by Pipistrel to be part of this game-changing journey. With more than 400 flight hours and 25 pilots introduced to the predecessor Alpha Electro, we are convinced of the suitability of electric flight in the daily flight school environment. Initially, we will distribute 12 aircraft on 10 airfields over Switzerland. Each base will be equipped with 150 m² of photovoltaic panels, producing electricity for 12,000 flight hours per year on the Velis Electro. We are happy to offer the most environmental friendly training possible.”

AERO 2020 was canceled due to the corona virus, but the conferences of the e-flight-expo which has been a highlight of the conference program in the last 10 years has been realized as online panel discussions.

The e-online panel discussion (eOPD) with participants from leading companies around the world like Airbus, Rolls Royce, Uber and Volocopter has meen realized as zoom online conferences. The first panels were started on April 1, 2020, exactly at the same time that the real AERO Friedrichshafen would have started.

4-5 participants gave a short presentation in each panel, followed by a discussion with the participants. Each panel lasts approximately 50-60 minutes. More on www.aero-expo.com

Joby Aviation founder and CEO JoeBen Bevrit presented interesting details of his company at the Transformative Vertical Flight 2020 dinner. More info inside the new e-flight-Journal.pdf file in an Interview of Willi Tacke with JoeBen Bevrit.

UBER announcing the most interesting facts of the last 3 weeks Hundai entering the the eVTOL market with a full designed vehicle, their partnership with UBER and the plan to invest more than 1 Billion Dollars in this field, Joby announcing their partnership with UBER and receiving 590 Million US Dollars in the C round financing, and FAA announcing that they have 6 eVTOL designs in certification .

Fully booked the 2020 Transformative Vertical Flight of the Vertical Flight Society started with a session of US Government agencies .

The European Helicopter Association (EHA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)  will organize the first  EUROPEAN ROTORS fair in Cologne in November 10-12 2020. It will also integrate the renowned EASA Rotorcraft and VTOL Symposium.

The fair will include both conventional helicopter and fast-growing eVTOL. The venue for EUROPEAN ROTORS will be Hall 8 and the Congress Centre North of Koelnmesse, Germany. The motto of EUROPEAN ROTORS 2020 is “It’s for everyone”. The market leaders Airbus, Bell, Leonardo and Safran are supporting the new format both through their presence as exhibitors and with an advisory function. 

The fair aims to offer operators, manufacturers, aviation authorities, the supporting industry, mechanics, pilots, customers and suppliers the opportunity to network and also to be informed on state-of-the-art equipment and services, and direct exchange with manufacturers, operators, Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and maintenance organisations. Visitors will additionally have the chance to discuss present and future regulations as well as to participate in dedicated training.

The three-day event will also include the renowned EASA Rotorcraft and VTOL Symposium. Beside the organizers, the service partner is Messe Friedrichshafen, an experienced exhibition and fairs company, which also stages the established aviation show AERO Friedrichshafen.

Further information, including opening times and prices, is available at  www.europeanrotors.eu. 

With a record participation of more than 370 professionals the EASA Rotorcraft and VTOL Symposium started in cologne today.

Rachel Daeschler, acting EASA Certification Director opening the conference which is specialy wateched by the eVTOL scene around the world since EASA published its SC VTOL.

the 3rd eflight forum