Slovenian aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel announced yesterday that it will make its certified electric aircraft engine available to other manufacturers.
The E-811 engine as fitted to the Pipistrel Velis Electro is the only certified electric motor currently certified for use in aircraft.
The engine combines a liquid-cooled electric motor and a liquid-cooled power controller, offering 57.6 kW (77 hp) of peak power, and 49.2 kW (66 hp) of maximum continuous power, making it a good fit for powered sailplanes, ultralight, Light sport Aircraft and Very Light Aircraft, where a type-certified engine is required.
It may also be installed on Part-23 Level 1 aircraft under special conditions.
"Pipistrel is now offering the E-811 not only as a part of our Velis Electro, but also separately, as a component to other aircraft designers and manufacturers," the Pipistrel announcement stated.
"The E-811 is extremely flexible: the motor’s rotation direction is not factory selected and can be easily adapted to any given application as part of the installation. The E-811 supports a wide range of propellers."
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certified the engine on 10 June this year, clearing the way for the Velis Electro to become the first type-certified aircraft in the world to be powered by electricity.