About New Zealand’s first e-plane
The Pipistrel Alpha Electro is the first serially produced electric plane in the world.
It’s 100% Pure
The Alpha Electro is a battery electric two seat aircraft manufactured in Italy and Slovenia by Pipistrel. The interchangeable battery units power an electric motor which directly drives the tri-bladed propeller. There is no fuel. No oil. No spark plugs. No exhaust pipe! The only liquid in the aircraft is coolant for the motor.
Electric Motor
Electric motors are far more efficient than their combustion engine equivalents. Motors are typically more than 90% efficient compared with around 25% for a petrol engine. The motor in the Alpha weighs around 20kg and requires little to no servicing for 2,000 hours. The plane is also approximately 70% quieter than its fossil-fuelled equivalents.
Battery Power
The Alpha uses two lithium battery packs to drive the electric motor. One pack sits just behind the motor and the other is located behind the seats where a fuel tank would usually be in a petrol aircraft. The batteries are simple to swap out when required. The plane’s battery lasts up to 90 minutes and can be recharged in under an hour making it ideal for pilot training.
Quick Charge
The Alpha has a type 2 charging slot near the front of the aircraft. It can be charged using a standard three-pin plug or an option is available for a fast charger up to 20kW. This will recharge the batteries for a typical flight in around 45 minutes. The plane will be charged from a dedicated charging station at Christchurch International Airport.
Significantly Lower Operating Costs
The Pipistrel Alpha Electro was essentially designed as a training aircraft. It has a total flying time of around 90 minutes, which allows an hour flight time with half an hour reserve. Almost all training flights for a private pilot’s license or microlight permit are under an hour, until cross country training begins. We believe the Alpha should be able to replace around 90% of typical training flights - therefore 90% of the emissions that go with it.
Costs for operating the e-plane are significantly lower than a conventional plane. Power is a few dollars an hour. There is relatively little maintenance because there are few moving parts.
ElectricAir is the official Promoter for Pipistrel electric aircraft in New Zealand. If you are thinking about buying an electric plane for yourself or your flight school, we’ll be happy to help answer any questions you have. The Alpha Electro sits in the LSA category and the Velis is the first Certified electric plane in the world. We can also arrange a viewing in Christchurch or Rangiora.