Pipistrel Velis Electro and Explorer Aircraft Achieve Type Certificate Validation in Canada

Pipistrel has reached a significant regulatory achievement as Transport Canada has officially validated the type certificates for three of its current aircraft models: the Pipistrel Explorer, Velis Club, and the fully electric Velis Electro. This approval represents an important advancement for Canadian operators, flight schools, and aviation innovators aiming to incorporate next-generation training aircraft into their fleets.

With this validation, Canadian operators are now able to obtain and operate these models with complete regulatory approval, facilitating wider adoption, particularly in the flight training sector, where there is a high demand for modern, efficient, and increasingly sustainable platforms.

Gabriel Massey, president and managing director of Pipistrel, says the decision reflects the global confidence growing around the company’s engineering capabilities. “Transport Canada’s validation of these aircraft type certificates serves as an acknowledgement of our team’s engineering expertise and highlights the growing international recognition of our products in key global markets,” he said. “This validation not only strengthens our position in the Canadian market but also significantly enhances flight training capabilities across the country.”

Among the recently approved models, the Pipistrel Velis Electro is notable for being the world's first and still the only certified all-electric trainer. It provides a training experience with no operational emissions and significantly lower noise, designed to be environmentally friendly and economically efficient, supporting the aviation industry's rapid move toward decarbonization.

Emitting only 60 decibels during takeoff and landing, the aircraft is remarkably quieter than conventional piston-engine trainers. Along with straightforward, intuitive avionics and lower maintenance needs, it offers a compelling choice for flight schools dealing with increasing fuel expenses and community concerns about noise impact.

The Velis Electro received its pioneering EASA type certification in 2020, with UK CAA certification following in 2022. In 2024, the FAA provided an airworthiness exemption under the Light Sport Aircraft category, allowing for broader use in the United States. In the same year, Canada validated the type certification for the aircraft's electric engine, marking the first time an electric aircraft engine received such recognition in the country.

Canada has been quick to adopt new technology. In 2022, Pipistrel delivered the country's first Velis Electro to the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) at the University of Waterloo, in collaboration with the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre (WWFC). Since then, the aircraft has been used for ongoing research into battery-powered flight, collecting operational data, and exploring future uses of electric aviation in training and regional mobility.

The Pipistrel Explorer, approved together with the Velis Electro, offers a distinct set of capabilities tailored to address the diverse geography, climates, and mission profiles frequently found in the Canadian aviation environment.

Renowned for its remarkable efficiency on minimal power, the Explorer is ideally suited for operations in remote locations and at higher altitudes or temperatures. The aircraft is certified for day and night VFR, intentional spins, and includes an IFR-ready avionics package, providing flight schools and private operators with a versatile platform that meets both basic and advanced training needs.

The original Explorer model, certified by EASA as the Virus SW 121, received its initial type certificate in 2016. The latest production version, known as the Virus SW 121A or Pipistrel Explorer, achieved EASA certification in 2021 and continues to evolve as a modern, cost-effective training solution.

Transport Canada’s approval of these three Pipistrel models indicates a move towards more varied and sustainable training fleets in the country. With the formal recognition of electric propulsion and the availability of proven light aircraft such as the Explorer and Velis Club for Canadian operations, flight schools now have the opportunity to update their curricula, lower operating expenses, and support environmentally friendly aviation practices.

As Canada remains at the cutting edge of sustainable aviation research and innovation, Pipistrel's recently validated aircraft are anticipated to be pivotal in developing the next generation of pilots and ushering in a new era of environmentally responsible flight.