The two-seater Pipistrel Velis Electro is mainly used for basic pilot training. It flew over a village near Fribourg last week, announced Switzerland’s Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) on Monday.
Its certification came via close cooperation between FOCA and other aviation authorities, as well as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Slovenian manufacturer Pipistrel.
In the three years leading to the certification process, FOCA and the others defined the conditions for its operation, maintenance, and pilot and personnel training. Thanks to this small plane, aviation authorities have been able to gain experience in approving low-emission types of aircraft propulsion. In mid-March, EASA approved its electric motor.
Now FOCA and EASA have a foundation for future certifications of low-emission and environmentally friendly aircraft that reduce air as well as noise pollution. Up until now, only combustion engines were regulated for small aircraft.
The Pipistrel Velis Electro belongs to the light sport aircraft category. According to the manufacturer, its maximum flight time is 50 minutes plus a ten-minute reserve.
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
Powder permitted to help with holes in Emmental cheese
This content was published on
The Federal Administrative Court has authorised the use of hay flower powder in the production of Emmental cheese with a protected designation of origin.
Estates of Schwarzenbach and Maillart honoured by UNESCO
This content was published on
The estates of Swiss writers Annemarie Schwarzenbach (1908-1942) and Ella Maillart (1903-1997) are to be included in the Memory of the World Register.
Novartis announces billion-dollar investments in the US
This content was published on
Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis plans to invest a total of $23 billion in the US over the next five years to expand production and research.
Money laundering and paedophile crime increase in Switzerland
This content was published on
The number of suspected cases of money laundering, reports of threats against officers and cases of paedophile crime increased last year, in some cases sharply.
Toblerone invests in Bern and puts new emphasis on Swiss cross
This content was published on
Since US multinational Mondelēz relocated part of Toblerone production to Slovakia in 2023, the company is no longer allowed to call its chocolate “Swiss made”.
Switzerland and 35 other members declare support for WTO
This content was published on
Switzerland and 35 other members have recommitted themselves to honouring the rules of the Geneva-based World Trade Organization (WTO).
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Silent aircraft soar through Swiss skies
This content was published on
Electric aeroplane enthusiasts recently met in Switzerland to show off the latest technologies that could influence the air travel of tomorrow.
Swiss aviation pioneer brings electric flights into present
This content was published on
Solar Impulse pilot André Borschberg is betting on an electric aviation future with his new start-up H55 and electric aerobatic test plane.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.