Unusual: a flight school trains its students using electric planes

In addition to the expected fuel savings, electric planes would expose pilots to fewer toxic effects from fuel.

Korum Ellis, founder of Fly One E, a company specializing in the sale and distribution of electric aircraft, has made a bold statement. “Regular aircraft pilots are exposed to large quantities of toxic aviation fuel throughout their lives. The toxic effects of 100LL aviation fuel on humans include organ damage due to prolonged or repeated exposure through inhalation. Skin irritation, drowsiness, dizziness, developmental delays, neurological changes, and irritability,” he explained.

More and more flight schools are interested in replacing their traditional fleet with electric aircraft, notably the Pipistrel Velis Electro two-seater manufactured in Slovenia. It uses a 57.6 kW (77 hp) electric motor and features a body made of carbon composite. According to Korum Ellis, such a model can flights of about one hour, allowing instructors to provide 50 minutes of training to their students.

Very clear range advantages in use

Besides being more eco-friendly, a Pipistrel Velis Electro proves to be more economical than an equivalent Cessna 152. According to Korum Ellis, “a Lycoming thermal engine Cessna 152 consumes about 35 euros worth of fuel per flying hour. The comparable electric aircraft, the Pipistrel Electro, consumes about 4 € of electrical energy per hour of flight.” Not to mention the savings made in maintenance and servicing, which are halved.

As seen, the economic argument is even more apparent in the aviation field than in the automotive sector, but similarly, the key issue remains range. While aircraft capable of short distances have a promising future, we will still have to wait to be able to undertake long journeys with electric planes.

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