The Pipistrel Velis electrical two-seater (Photo: Airjuice Photography (CC))

The first five pilots fully certified to fly electric aeroplanes have graduated at the Green Flight Academy in Skellefteå, Sweden, earlier this month. The quintet is the first class ever to leave a Scandinavian aviation school trained in fossil-free aviation.

At the Green Flight Academy students spend about 30 percent of their 18-months-training in the Pipistrel Velis Electro, similar to the one featured in the photo with this story. The Velis can stay airborne for 50 minutes, and fast-charing takes about 45 minutes.

In May this year, SAS Scandinavian Airlines partnered up with the Green Flight Academy to give graduated student pilots a possible future with the airline. Despite the fact that SAS is solely flying on fossil kerosine these days – while examining introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). | © 2024 Marcel Burger, nordicreporter.com. Featured archive photo of the Velis Electro by Airjuice Photography (CC)