Youth Scholarships Boosts Electric Aviation Education

Eco-Aviation Foundation International has taken delivery of the first Pipistrel Velis Electro to be used for flight training purposes under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness exemption. The purchase makes the Velis Electro the first FAA-exempt light sport electric aircraft at the Santa Monica Airport in California. Pipistrel is a Textron Inc. company.

The Pipistrel Velis Electro is quiet, producing noise levels of only 60 decibels, low cost and user-friendly, allowing flight training with zero carbon emissions. The Foundation is expecting the arrival of its second Velis Electro in November.

In addition to facilitating the purchase of the Velis Electro, the Eco-Aviation Foundation is launching an Eco Flight Ground School, as well as an associated scholarship initiative in collaboration with local youth-focused community centers. These scholarships will fully fund Private Pilot ground school courses, including the complete FAA-approved curriculum and training on electric aircraft technologies. Additionally, scholarship recipients will have the cost of their FAA written test at a local testing center covered.

The Velis Electro aligns with the Foundation’s mission to promote electric aviation and to provide eco-friendly flight training, with a focus on young adults in underserved communities. The Eco Flight Ground School scholarships, in partnership with community youth organizations, open up an array of career opportunities in aviation and aerospace for students.

In addition to the Eco Flight Ground School and flight training, “discovery flights” in the Velis Electro will provide hands-on, educational experiences for students and others in the community. These flights are designed to inspire and educate community members about the possibilities within the aviation sector, particularly those who may not have previously considered it as a viable career path.

"We are proud to see the Pipistrel Velis Electro being used to train students, preparing them for the future of aviation," said Tricia Steel, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing for Textron eAviation Inc. "This Eco-Aviation Foundation International’s initiative not only equips future aviators with experience on next-generation power systems, but also plays a crucial role in creating cleaner and quieter communities.”

Earlier this year, the FAA granted a light-sport aircraft (LSA) airworthiness exemption for the Pipistrel Velis Electro, enabling flight training in an electric aircraft within the United States.