E-Flight Academy
| 5 minutes read, 874 words | 1 commentWe have a very late summer vacation this year, and this year we went on a road trip to the Netherlands. While here, I figured it would be fun to get in the air if I could. When I realized that we would be staying right next to one of the World’s few electric aviation schools, I just had to make this happen!
I fly the Pipistrel Velis Electro a lot back home in Norway, so seeing how other operators handle the aircraft can be very useful. Electric aviation is still new, and sharing experiences is very useful. So I sent them an email, and ever since the first reply they have been nothing but welcoming and accommodating.
We got a slot booked, and now the day was here. I arrived at E-Flight Academy well before my alloted slot, and got to talk to the people running the place. They were happy to tell me about how they manage to operate a fleet of four Velis Electro, and manage to do everything from zero to CPL and FI with just a few hours needed in the petrol powered Pipistrel. They are fully digital, and handle both scheduling and payment online. The roof is of course covered with solar panels.
They are doing it already
After flying the Norwegian Air Sport Federation’s Velis Electro LN-ELB a lot, I knew that it is doable already to do flight training almost emission free. On top of that it also helps to reduce things like noise, which tends to upset neighbors. The flying community should embrace the technology we already have - just like E-Flight Academy is doing. Yes, it does require a bit more planning, and you will have to do shorter lessons. But it’s doable! And that’s why I’m so happy to see companies like E-Flight Academy actually doing it - and doing it with success.
The roadmap for from zero to hero at E-Flight Academy
I eventually met the instructor they had assigned to me, and continued chatting with him while the aircraft was charging after the previous flight. Turns out he has worked as a flight instructor in Norway as well, together with the instructor I had my very first flight with. Small world!
We don’t fly our Velis Electro during the winter back home, but here they operate all year long. It can get as cold as negative 5°C. Last time I tried to charge our Velis Electro below plus 10°C, I had to take a warm-up flight first. Turns out there’s a solution to that as well.
They have winter kits here, which consists of nothing more than a plate to block the air inlet. And a pre-heater (a 3D-printed part to put in the air inlet, and a regular heater with a fan and tube) on the coldest days. Genius, and once again proving why this visit is useful to me!
When we were done chatting, the battery was done charging as well - once again proving that it is very possible to do back-to-back lessons as long as you do a proper debrief and briefing. Thinking about it now, this is a good thing - since you will have to do proper briefing and debriefing.
Let’s go flying
They rent a couple of the four electric aircraft they operate from Green Aerolease, which is why we were going flying in a French aircraft today. I love how aviation is borderless within EASA.
The route we had planned took us to Deventer (which was our goal for this road trip), and then to the Deventer Low Flying Area. Yes, they have that in the Netherlands. They also have 700ft pattern altitude. Given how flat the country is, and the abundance of forced landing sites, it does make some sense.
This French Velis flies just as great as the one I’m used to, it is however very unfamiliar sitting in the left seat. In some ways it feels like a different aircraft, like when operating the flaps lever.
If you’ve flown in a Velis Electro before, you might see something you don’t recognize in the picture above. E-Flight has solved the issue with fog on the windows, using two computer fans and a battery. So simple. So effective.
After flying for a while, we returned back and landed with enough battery capacity left to still be on the safe side. Once again, proving that electric aviation is possible for training and recreation already today.
More of this please
E-Flight Academy is leading the way, but they are not alone. Green Flight Academy in Northern Sweden (!) are doing the same. I guess I should visit them as well? We need businesses like this, that help bring technology and aviation into the future. If we don’t create demand, we won’t have innovation either.
The same goes for aviation clubs, why not make the next club plane an electric one? Later on this road trip, we actually spotted (we couldn’t hear it) a Velis Electro in the air, operated by the local flying club in Gothenburg.
It’s time to stop wasting time on complaining that it will never happen, and join those that have already made it happen!
Video from the flight
Picture gallery
