Yarra Valley flight trainer Lilydale Flying School has placed an electric aeroplane online for basic training.
The aircraft, a Pipistrel Alpha Electro II, was supplied by WA company FlyOnE as a way of introducing electric aircraft to the training market in Melbourne.
Based on the familiar Pipistrel Sinus/Virus airframe, the Alpha Electro II uses two batteries to power a 60 kW electric engine, giving a cruise of 85 KIAS and a best endurance of one hour.
"Lilydale Flying School and Yarra Valley Aviation have been so helpful and amazing in this process," said FlyOnE founder Korum Ellis.
"The team of instructors are excellent to work with and excited for the opportunity to teach in an electric aircraft and the owner/operator of the airport and Yarra Valley aviation, Jonathan Merridew, has been a pleasure to work with and can now enjoy operating the coolest flight school in Victoria using the very latest trainer aircraft for the next generation of advanced air mobility pilots."
With two 57-kg batteries, the Electro has a BEW of 368 kg and an MTOW of 570 kg, which is enough payload to carry two people given that no fuel is required.
Ellis believes the Electro is the perfect fit for basic training missions, most of which are less than one hour in duration.
FlyOnE also operates a flying academy in WA using Alpha Electro II aircraft via Cloud Dancer Flight Training.