“Fourteen UK Airfields Now Pioneering Electric Aviation”

The UK presently boasts 14 airfields that embrace electric-powered aircraft, reports a press release. This includes Fairoaks Airport in Chobham, Surrey which has become the latest to receive a Pipistrel Velis (by Textron eAviation), the only electric aircraft to date certifiied for passenger flight by the CAA.

The leased craft has joined Synergy Flight Training from UK Distributor NEBOair. It is operating in collaboration with sustainability solutions pioneer 4AIR, a Flexjet sister company and BBGA member.

Synergy Flight Training (SFT) and 4AIR are collaborating to bring a new era of decarbonised flying, enabling future pilots to be trained on fully electric aircraft in the South of England, mirroring operations at SaxonAir Aviation Training at Norwich Airport.

Other ‘green airfields’ include Duxford Airport (home of the British clean-tech innovator Faradair); Great Oakley; Humberside (home of Eastern Airways); Old Buckenham and Popham Aerodromes; RAF Cranwell; Redhill Aerodrome; Rochester Airport, Sibson, Shipmeadow and Wickenby Aerodromes, all having resident Pipistrel Velis Electro aircraft with charging supported by NEBOair. 

Fairoaks Airport, Chobham, Surrey

The release explains, “Supporting the all-important infrastructure needed for the first all-electric aircraft, London-based Aerovolt, specialists in smart charging for electric aircraft, have deployed or are in the throes of deploying, charging points at 36 UK airfields and airports.”

It continues, “Lydd, Shoreham, Henstridge, Dunkeswell, Sandown, Bournemouth and Snowdonia Aerospace Centre will be joined by Goodwood, Thruxton and Blackbushe Airports in the next few months. Others committing to installations include Balado, Deanland Airfield; Derby; Isle of Man Ronaldsway; Kittyhawk; Lee-on-Solent; North Moor; Shobdon; Tatenhill and Teesside Airports.” 

Kennedy Ricci, President of 4AIR, commented, “The Pipistrel Velis generates emissions only during its construction, repair and maintenance, as well as from its eventual end-of-life disposal and the electricity used for charging.”

He continued, “Through our partnership with Synergy Flight Training, student pilots of the future (and qualified pilots too) will experience new forms of decarbonised flying which will become more commonplace over the next decade.”

SFT is now actively recruiting flying instructors to fly the Velis at Fairoaks Airport and is offering instructor sponsorships for commercially rated pilots. Norwich Airport-based SaxonAir took on a lease of the Velis, also from NEBOair last October, to gain experience and test its viability for a future electric fleet.   SaxonAir operated nearly 150 hours training in the Pipistrels over the summer with 30 hours in the Velis.

SaxonAir CEO and Deputy Chair of BBGA, Alex Durand, remarked, “You can advance training with the Pipistrel Velis Electro and we are seeing that people who are interested in flying, but haven’t learned, are enthusiastic to fly an electric trainer.”

Alex Durand

In February, SaxonAir announced the completion of the Air League’s inaugural Electric Flying Scholarship, hosted within its Klyne Business Aviation Centre, using power direct generated from its recent rooftop solar PV installation. It is looking forward to accepting more people to its Flight Training Centre in 2025.

Background

Formerly known as GAMTA, BBGA is the UK’s national trade body representing business and general aviation. It represents close to 200 companies, including airports, corporate flight departments, operators, aviation services organisations and aircraft manufacturers.  In a partnership with the European Business Aviation Association (EBBA), all members enjoy dual membership of both associations. 

For more information

www.bbga.aero 

(Top image: A Velis Electro — Credit: Textron eAviation)

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