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