Pipistrel (Textron Aviation)
Slovenian electric and light aircraft manufacturer, now part of Textron Aviation, known for the world's first EASA-certified electric aircraft.
Pipistrel Aircraft – Textron Acquisition AnnouncementPipistrel is an aircraft manufacturer founded in 1989 by Ivo Boscarol and headquartered in Ajdovščina, Slovenia, with additional facilities in Italy. The company produces a range of light aircraft including ultralights, gliders, and trainer aircraft, and has delivered more than 2,500 aircraft worldwide since its founding.
Pipistrel is a pioneer in electric aviation: its Velis Electro became the world's first electric aircraft to receive full type-certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the 100th unit was delivered in March 2024. The company's electric aviation heritage stretches back to 2007 with the Taurus Electro motorglider, and in 2011 it won NASA's Green Flight Challenge with the Taurus G4 twin-fuselage electric aircraft.
Textron Inc. completed a $235 million acquisition of Pipistrel in April 2022. In October 2025, Textron announced it would integrate its eAviation segment—including Pipistrel—into Textron Aviation effective January 4, 2026. In November 2025, Transport Canada validated type certificates for the Explorer, Velis Club, and Velis Electro, opening the Canadian market to Pipistrel's lineup.
Innovations in electric propulsion, low-noise operation, and sustainable flight training make Pipistrel highly relevant to developments in urban air mobility, zero-emission aviation, and next-generation pilot training ecosystems.