This article is based on an official press release from Pipistrel.

Pipistrel Velis Electro Secures Historic First Safety Certification in Asia

Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. company, has officially received the first safety certification for its Velis Electro aircraft in Asia, marking a pivotal moment for Electric-Aviation in the region. The Certification was issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of South Korea, clearing the way for the fully electric aircraft to enter commercial service in the country.

According to the company’s announcement on December 23, 2025, this approval represents the first time in South Korea’s 77-year aviation history that an electric aircraft has been certified for operation. The milestone underscores the growing global acceptance of electric propulsion in general aviation, particularly for flight training applications.

Breaking New Ground in the Asian Market

While the Velis Electro has been operating in Europe and other Western markets for several years, its entry into Asia opens a significant new frontier. The certification process was a collaborative effort involving TOFF MOBILITY, a local South Korean partner. TOFF MOBILITY took delivery of the first unit in 2024 and worked closely with regulators to conduct the necessary flight testing and data collection required to prove the aircraft’s safety profile.

Gabriel Massey, President and Managing Director of Pipistrel, highlighted the strategic importance of this achievement in a company statement:

“The approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of South Korea represents a landmark achievement for Pipistrel, signifying our pioneering introduction of electric aircraft technology into the Asian market… It significantly advances our mission to lead the charge in sustainable aviation, opening new doors for electric flight across the continent.”

The aircraft has been certified as a “Lightweight Aircraft” in South Korea, a classification aligned with its Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 600 kg (1,320 lbs).

AirPro News Analysis

We view this certification as a critical precedent for the Asia-Pacific aviation sector. South Korea is a market characterized by high population density and stringent noise regulations near urban centers. The Velis Electro’s ability to operate quietly, generating only 60 dBa, makes it uniquely suited for this environment. By securing this certification, South Korean regulators have effectively established a framework for future electric aircraft, signaling that the region is ready to integrate Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and sustainable flight technologies into its airspace.

Technical Profile: The Velis Electro

The Velis Electro remains the world’s only commercially available, type-certified electric aircraft. Designed primarily for pilot training, it offers a sustainable alternative to traditional piston-engine trainers. According to Pipistrel’s technical specifications, the aircraft features a liquid-cooled electric powertrain that drastically reduces the number of moving parts, thereby lowering maintenance costs and downtime.

Key technical specifications confirmed by the Manufacturers include:

• Powerplant: Pipistrel E-811-268MVLC liquid-cooled electric motor.
• Power Output: 57.6 kW (77 hp) at takeoff; 49.2 kW (66 hp) continuous.
• Battery System: Two liquid-cooled lithium-ion packs providing 24.8 kWh total capacity.
• Endurance: Up to 50 minutes of flight time plus VFR reserves.
• Charging Speed: 20% to 95% charge in approximately 40–60 minutes.

The aircraft’s battery system is designed with redundancy in mind. One pack is located in the nose and the other behind the cabin; if one system fails, the other is capable of sustaining flight, ensuring a high margin of Safety for student pilots.

Global Certification Timeline

This latest approval in South Korea adds to a growing list of regulatory bodies that have validated the Velis Electro’s airworthiness. The aircraft first made history in June 2020 when it received the world’s first type certification for an electric aircraft from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Since then, it has secured approvals from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (2022) and an airworthiness exemption for Light-Sport Aircraft from the FAA in the United States (2024).

With the addition of South Korea in late 2025, Pipistrel has successfully expanded its regulatory footprint into three major continents, reinforcing its position as the industry leader in certified electric flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary use of the Velis Electro?
The aircraft is designed primarily for flight training, specifically circuit training. Its low operating costs and quiet profile make it ideal for flight schools operating near residential areas.

How loud is the aircraft?
The Velis Electro has a noise level of approximately 60 dBa, which is significantly quieter than traditional combustion-engine aircraft.

Who is the local partner in South Korea?
TOFF MOBILITY, a South Korean electric flight company, partnered with Pipistrel to facilitate the certification process and took delivery of the first aircraft in 2024.

Sources: Pipistrel

Vertical Aerospace Completes Final VX4 Prototype, Targets Hybrid Expansion in 2026

Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) has officially announced the completion of its third and final full-scale VX4 prototype, a critical milestone intended to accelerate the company’s path toward Certification. According to a statement released on December 22, 2025, the new aircraft is scheduled to begin piloted flight testing in January 2026 following a brief commissioning phase.

The addition of this aircraft effectively doubles the Bristol-based manufacturer’s flight test capacity. By operating two identical full-scale prototypes simultaneously, Vertical Aerospace aims to increase the frequency of data gathering required for regulatory approval. This development comes shortly after the company unveiled “Valo,” its rebranded commercial production aircraft, and signaled a strategic expansion into hybrid-electric propulsion for defense and logistics markets.

Accelerating the Path to Certification

The newly completed aircraft is a VX4 model, identical to the second prototype that has been undergoing rigorous testing in the UK. In November 2025, the existing prototype received its Permit to Fly and has since completed 10 piloted flights, successfully expanding the aircraft’s flight envelope. The primary role of this final prototype is to serve as a workhorse for validating aerodynamics, flight control software, and battery technologies.

According to the company’s announcement, the immediate schedule for the new unit involves post-production systems checks followed by a maiden piloted flight in January. Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, emphasized the importance of this addition to their fleet:

“As we look ahead to 2026, the addition of our final prototype marks an important step in closing out our prototype flight test programme and maintaining momentum towards commercialization. Our test pilots are eager to get this aircraft into the air.”

Strategic Pivot: Hybrid Propulsion and the “Valo” Tour

While the immediate focus remains on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) certification, Vertical Aerospace is simultaneously broadening its technological scope. The company revealed that later in 2026, this final prototype will be retrofitted with a hybrid-electric propulsion system. This modification is designed to test long-range capabilities, with a target range of up to 1,000 miles, significantly higher than the ~100-mile range of the all-electric configuration.

This hybrid strategy targets the defense, logistics, and emergency medical services (EMS) sectors, where range and payload often outweigh the requirement for zero-emission short hops. The company projects a payload capacity of approximately 1,100 kg for this variant.

Distinguishing Prototype from Product

Vertical Aerospace has clarified the distinction between the testing hardware and the final commercial product. The aircraft currently flying, and the unit just completed, are VX4 prototypes. These utilize the original fuselage design and distributed battery packs to validate core systems.

In contrast, the commercial model, branded as Valo, features a redesigned fuselage, a V-tail with a tail wheel, and an under-floor liquid-cooled battery system. While the flying prototypes remain in the UK for technical validation, Vertical Aerospace plans to launch a US tour in January 2026, starting in New York City. This tour is expected to feature a full-scale static model of Valo to demonstrate the passenger experience to investors and partners.

Financial Outlook and Timeline

The expansion of the flight test program occurs against a backdrop of careful capital management. As of November 2025, Vertical Aerospace reported a cash position of approximately £89 million ($117 million). The company has stated this funding provides a runway through mid-2026, with a controlled net operating cash outflow guidance of $110–125 million for the 2025 fiscal year.

Key milestones for the upcoming year include:

• January 2026: Piloted flight testing of the final prototype and the start of the Valo US Tour.
• Mid-to-Late 2026: Retrofitting the final prototype for hybrid-electric trials.
• Throughout 2026: Public flight demonstrations, potentially at major international Air-Shows.
• 2028: Targeted Type Certification for Valo with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and EASA.

AirPro News Analysis

The completion of a third prototype is a standard but vital step in aerospace certification; redundancy allows for parallel testing streams, one aircraft can focus on performance handling while the other tests system reliability or failure modes. However, the most significant revelation in this update is the concrete timeline for the hybrid-electric retrofit.

By targeting a 1,000-mile range with a hybrid variant, Vertical Aerospace is effectively hedging its bets. The pure-electric urban air mobility market is crowded and infrastructure-dependent. A hybrid variant opens immediate doors to military and cargo contracts that are less sensitive to noise and battery density constraints. With a cash runway extending only to mid-2026, demonstrating a viable hybrid technology later that year could be a decisive factor in securing the next tranche of necessary funding.

Sources

• Vertical Aerospace Press Release (Dec 22, 2025)
• Vertical Aerospace Official Website

Jekta Advances Electric Amphibian Program with 1:9 Scale Model Unveiling

Swiss aerospace manufacturer Jekta has officially unveiled a 1:9 scale model of its PHA-ZE 100 (Passenger Hydro Aircraft, Zero Emissions 100), marking a critical milestone in the development of its 19-passenger electric aviation amphibious aircraft. The announcement, made on December 11, 2025, confirms that the company has moved into active flight testing with the sub-scale demonstrator to validate its aerodynamic and hydrodynamic designs.

According to the company’s announcement, the remote-controlled model is currently undergoing flight campaigns in Italy. These tests are designed to gather real-world data that will be cross-referenced with computer simulations, ensuring the airframe is mature before the company proceeds to full-scale production. Jekta aims to reintroduce the utility of the “flying boat” to the global market, targeting an entry into service by 2030.

Flight Testing and Validation

The newly unveiled model represents a significant engineering step for the Payerne-based company. While digital modeling provides a theoretical baseline, physical testing of the 1:9 scale model allows engineers to observe how the hull interacts with water during takeoff and landing, as well as how the distributed electric propulsion system performs in flight.

The testing is taking place near the base of Jekta’s Head of Design, Max Pinucci, in Italy. In a statement regarding the program’s progress, Jekta CEO George Alafinov emphasized the practical utility of the large-scale model:

“The 1:9 scale model is large enough to provide data representative of the full-size aircraft and is allowing us to efficiently expand the test envelope… ensuring the aircraft’s maturity as we work towards introducing it to the global air transport network in 2030.”

, George Alafinov, CEO of Jekta

PHA-ZE 100 Technical Specifications

The full-scale PHA-ZE 100 is designed to serve coastal communities, island nations, and regional routes that lack extensive airport infrastructure. By utilizing existing waterways and standard runways, the aircraft offers operational flexibility without the need for the expensive vertiports often required by eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) competitors.

According to technical details released by the manufacturer, the aircraft will feature:

• Capacity: 19 passengers in a standard economy configuration, with options for VIP or cargo layouts.
• Propulsion: Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) utilizing 8 electric motors mounted on the wings for redundancy and safety.
• Speed: A cruise speed of 110–135 knots (approximately 200–250 km/h).
• Certification Basis: The aircraft is being developed to meet EASA CS-23 and FAA FAR-23 standards.

Battery vs. Hydrogen Variants

Jekta has outlined a dual-propulsion strategy to meet different market needs. The base model will utilize battery-electric technology, offering a range of approximately 150 km, suitable for short inter-island hops. However, through a partnership with ZeroAvia, Jekta is also developing a hydrogen fuel cell variant. This configuration is projected to quadruple the effective range to nearly 600 km, making regional connectivity viable for zero-emission operators.

AirPro News Analysis

The Return of the Flying Boat

Jekta’s progress highlights a growing sub-sector in sustainable aviation: the modernization of the amphibious aircraft. While the “Golden Age” of flying boats faded after World War II due to the rise of long runways and jet engines, the format solves a specific modern problem. Developing nations in Southeast Asia and archipelagos like the Maldives often struggle to build land-based runways due to ecological concerns or lack of space. The PHA-ZE 100’s ability to operate from water offers an “infrastructure-light” solution.

We note that Jekta faces competition in this niche, specifically from Norway’s Elfly Group, which is developing the 9-seat “Noemi,” and the US-based REGENT, which is building the “Viceroy” seaglider. However, Jekta’s 19-seat capacity places it in a larger utility class, potentially appealing to operators looking to replace aging Twin Otters or Cessna Caravans on over-water routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Jekta PHA-ZE 100 enter service?

Jekta is targeting an entry into service (EIS) for 2030 or 2031, following certification under EASA and FAA regulations.

What is the range of the aircraft?

The battery-electric version has a range of approximately 150 km, while the hydrogen fuel cell variant aims for a range of up to 600 km.

Is this a vertical takeoff (VTOL) aircraft?

No. The PHA-ZE 100 is an amphibious aircraft that takes off and lands horizontally on water (using its hull) or on land (using retractable wheels). It does not require the complex tilt-rotor mechanisms found in eVTOLs.

Sources

• Jekta Switzerland