Slovenia-based Pipistrel announced last week that the Civil Aviation Authority of South Korea has issued a safety certificate for the Velis Electro, marking the first time a nationally regulated electric aircraft has been certified in the country. The certification classifies the fully electric light sport aircraft as a lightweight model, based on its maximum takeoff weight of 600 kilograms, and authorizes its operation in South Korea.
According to Pipistrel, the Velis Electro remains the only in-service, commercially available electric aircraft to hold type certification. The company said the certification follows research and flight testing efforts conducted after the delivery of South Korea’s first Velis Electro in 2024 to TOFF MOBILITY.
Pipistrel said the aircraft’s noise profile of 60 decibels and electric propulsion may position the aircraft well to support flight training applications.
The Velis Electro previously received type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in 2020, followed by approvals from the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority in 2022 and a United States Federal Aviation Administration light-sport aircraft airworthiness exemption in 2024. Transport Canada validated the EASA type certificate earlier this year.
“The approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of South Korea represents a landmark achievement,” said Pipistrel President and Managing Director Gabriel Massey.
Massey said the certification reflects ongoing development efforts and supports plans to expand electric aircraft operations in the region.
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