Canada Approves Electric Aircraft for Pilot Training Following University of Waterloo Research

Canada –The University of Waterloo has confirmed that electric aircraft are now approved for use in Canadian pilot training, following Transport Canada’s certification of the Pipistrel Velis Electro and related models—marking a major milestone for sustainable aviation training.

• Transport Canada has validated the type certification of the Pipistrel Velis Electro, Velis Club, and Explorer aircraft, formally enabling their use by Canadian flight schools and private operators.
• The approval follows a regulatory update in July 2025 that permitted electric aircraft to be used for pilot training in Canada.
• The certification process was supported by extensive research and flight testing conducted by the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics (WISA) in collaboration with national partners.
• WISA’s research program, led by Paul Parker, Mehrdad Pirnia, and Suzanne Kearns, provided operational performance data that informed both the regulatory framework and certification decision.
• WISA began operating Canada’s first Velis Electro in 2022, in partnership with the Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre, using the aircraft as part of a “living lab” at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.
• Student pilots participated as pilot research assistants, flying and documenting electric aircraft operations—creating one of the most comprehensive Canadian datasets on electric flight training.
• The Velis Electro operates at approximately 60 decibels, produces zero direct emissions, and features lower maintenance requirements, making it well suited for circuit training and early-stage ab initio instruction.

Statements

• “Waterloo played an important role by operating one of North America’s first certified electric aircraft,”said Suzanne Kearns, Founder and Director of WISA.
• “The information gathered here helped Transport Canada prepare for electric aviation and gave regulators a clearer understanding of how these aircraft perform in real Canadian conditions,”she added.

Source: University of Waterloo / Transport Canada