Saxonair is set to launch its new two-seater electric aircraft from its base at Norwich Airport, making it the first company to operate a fully certified electric plane in the UK. The aircraft, a Pipistrel Velis Electro, is owned by Bungay-based firm NEBOair and has been fully certified by the Civil Aviation Authority. It features a 57.6kw electric motor that allows it to cruise at 98 knots and reach altitudes of up to 12,000 feet for around 50 minutes. The battery system, consisting of two batteries and a portable charger, weighs around 45kg in total, making the aircraft much lighter than a typical plane and requiring less starting power to take off.
SaxonAir, in collaboration with NEBOair, is also working on a plan to set up a network of solar-powered charging points at 13 airfields along the east of the country, which would allow for passengers to fly from one airfield to the next. This initiative, if successful, would represent one of the first tailored routes specifically for electric aircraft in the world. Alex Durand, the chief executive of SaxonAir, expressed his excitement about the potential for a new golden age of aviation with electric aircraft playing a significant role. He also mentioned the possibility of a network of electrified airfields being rolled out by the end of the year, and expressed his eagerness to showcase pleasure flights in an electric aircraft to the people of Norfolk.
While the Pipistrel Velis Electro is not the first battery-powered aircraft to take flight, it is the first to be fully certified by the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK. With its advanced electric motor and lightweight design, the aircraft is poised to offer passengers a unique and environmentally friendly flying experience. The collaboration between SaxonAir and NEBOair to establish a network of solar-powered charging points for electric aircraft also holds the potential to revolutionize air travel in the region, with the creation of tailored routes specifically for electric aircraft.
The launch of the electric aircraft from Norwich Airport is a significant milestone in the aviation industry. The development and certification of the Pipistrel Velis Electro represent a step forward in the adoption and commercialization of electric aircraft, and the potential rollout of an electrified airfield network has the capacity to revolutionize air travel in the region. The excitement and enthusiasm of SaxonAir’s chief executive, Alex Durand, for the future of electric aircraft and the possibilities it opens up for the aviation industry and passengers are evident, showcasing the potential for a new era of electric aviation.
