Transport Canada Certifies Three Pipistrel Light Aircraft

Transport Canada has validated the EASA type certificates for Pipistrel’s Explorer, Velis Club and Velis Electro light aircraft. The Textron subsidiary announced the approval on November 12 saying it opens up the potential for orders from flight schools.

The all-electric Velis Electro two-seater earned its European type certificate in 2020, with the UK Civil Aviation Authority following in 2022 before the FAA issued a light sports aircraft (LSA) exemption in 2024. Last year, Transport Canada validated the Electro’s electric engine.

In 2022, Pipistrel delivered the first Velis Electro to the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics in Ontario. It is being used by the University of Waterloo and its partner the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre to support research into battery-powered electric flight.

The Pipistrel Explorer, powered by a 100-HP Rotax 912 piston engine, is approved for day and night VFR operations and has an IFR-ready avionics suite. It achieved EASA type certification in 2021, while the Velis Club is approved under EASA’s CS-LSA rules for day VFR operations.

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