Pipistrel, a Slovenia-based aircraft manufacturer, announced that the Civil Aviation Authority of South Korea has issued a safety certificate for its Velis Electro. This marks the first time a nationally regulated electric aircraft has been certified in South Korea, classifying it as a lightweight light-sport aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 600 kilograms, authorized for operation in the country.
The Velis Electro remains the only in-service, commercially available electric aircraft to hold type certification worldwide, according to Pipistrel. The certification process involved extensive research and flight testing following the delivery of South Korea’s first Velis Electro in 2024 to TOFF MOBILITY, a local operator.
The aircraft’s noise level of 60 decibels and electric propulsion system are seen as advantages for flight training applications, the company stated.
Previously, the Velis Electro received type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2020, along with approvals from the UK Civil Aviation Authority in 2022, and a light-sport aircraft airworthiness exemption from the FAA in the United States in 2024. Transport Canada also validated the EASA certificate earlier this year.
Gabriel Massey, President and Managing Director of Pipistrel, described the South Korean certification as a landmark achievement, underscoring the company’s ongoing development efforts and plans to expand electric aircraft operations in the region.
