Satu Dahl, Group Editor of HMG Aerospace’s Inflight, Regional Gateway and LARA titles, spent an unforgettable day on 12 May at the Blackbushe Airport in Surrey, experiencing the thrill of flight on board the Pipistrel Velis Electro 100% electric aircraft. The day was hosted by the Aerobility aviation charity and aviation industry sustainability solutions company 4AIR, with plenty of insight from Mike Miller-Smith, CEO of Aerobility, Neil Tucker, Chairman of Aerobility and Adam Twidell, 4AIR’s Future of Flight lead and an experienced pilot and flight instructor.
The Pipistrel Velis Electro is the world’s first certified electric-powered, zero emissions aircraft. It has been designed for pilot training under day Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operations and has an engine that produces 57.6 kW of power from a 345 VDC electric system. In a first-of-its-kind partnership, 4AIR delivered the Pipistrel Velis Electro to the UK charity Aerobility earlier this year for a 12-month sponsorship initiative that brings together electric aviation, accessibility and purpose-driven flight training.
Aerobility facilitates children and adults with disabilities to experience the magic of flight and the two-seater will be used to provide flight training and flying experiences. The charity’s partnership with 4AIR highlights how innovation and accessibility can come together to create more inclusive opportunities within aviation, while also demonstrating the positive impact flying can have on people living with disabilities.
When I spoke with some of the charity’s beneficiaries over the course of the day, they noted how the organisation provides life-changing experiences through flying. The charity’s CAA-approved flight instructors can train beneficiaries to achieve a Private Pilot’s License (PPL) and more, and for people unable to physically fly, it offers Virtual Aviation Experience (VAE) which is an instructed flight simulation from home.
Aerobility’s Chief Executive Mike Miller-Smith initially got involved with the charity in the early 2000s. He highlighted how important partnerships are to the charity. “I think this project we’re doing with 4AIR around this aircraft is a great example of how a charity and a corporate can partner together for common good. And I think that the example we would like to set in the minds of other corporate entities is to work with a charity partner, whether it is us or somebody else, to do something positive. ESG is very important these days.”
Powering up with ease
When witnessing the charging process of the Pipistrel Velis Electro at Blackbushe Airport, it seemed to be just as straightforward and easy as charging an electric car such as a Tesla. Adam Twidell, 4AIR’s Future of Flight lead and the pilot and flight instructor on my flight, highlighted the speedy charging process of around one hour for my demo flight and the impressive cost savings per flight compared to fuel-powered flights. The Pipistrel Velis Electro is both environmentally friendly and cost effective – a 45-minute flight costs approximately £1.50 in electricity compared to the hundreds of pounds in fuel.
4AIR’s aim is to tackle all climate impacts and provide a streamlined and verifiable pathway for the private aviation industry to effectively counteract and reduce aircraft emissions with a framework that comprises four levels. Each level is equipped with specific, science-based objectives, independently verified results and increasingly significant impacts on sustainability.
Twidell further explained about 4AIR’s role in championing sustainable aviation, noting that there are many ways 4AIR helps operators meet industry sustainability commitments, such as carbon offsetting programmes, sustainable aviation fuel sourcing, regulatory compliance monitoring and full-service carbon footprint and assessment of companies’ physical facilities.
Taking part in the actual flight was definitely an experience to remember, with the sleek two-seater featuring a unique design and remarkably low noise output of only 60 dB, providing a quiet flying environment. My flight was indeed very quiet, smooth and enjoyable, with easy controlling of the aircraft that makes it ideal for training purposes and flying with people with disabilities, including sensory impairments.
I can certainly see how being able to offer these flights is a huge positive for pioneering charities such as Aerobility, as well as regional airports, which are always looking at ways to reduce noise, costs and emissions.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport to also offer Aerobility flights
In other news for Aerobility, it announced this month that it will be operating two adapted light aircraft over four days from Doncaster Sheffield Airport between 26-29 May. Disabled people will be able to apply for introductory flights in the charity’s specially adapted light aircraft as part of a joint ambition for both the airport and Aerobility, to empower disabled individuals to challenges their limits, conquer fears and learn more about aviation.
Mike Miller-Smith commented on this partnership: “We’re thrilled to be flying from Doncaster Sheffield Airport. It’s so crucial to be able to offer opportunities for people with disabilities such as this right across the country. We’re also extremely grateful to The Mark Long Trust, for actively supporting and enabling us to offer these life changing experiences to the local disabled community.”
