Campbell River, British Columbia – Sealand Flight has just celebrated the first solo flight of a Canadian student pilot in an electric airplane. Catherine Check, age 18, has been learning to fly in the flight school’s Velis Electro. On December 18th, with about 10 hours of training experience, Catherine became Canada’s first-ever student pilot to fly solo in an electric airplane.
This milestone is a major triumph in the aviation industry’s pursuit of sustainability. It serves as tangible evidence of the current utility of electric aviation for flight training. The Velis Electro is ultra-quiet, produces zero emissions, and is expected to be less expensive to operate than conventional training aircraft.
With the support of Clean BC, BC Hydro, and Transport Canada, Sealand Flight is grateful to be leading this endeavor and is incredibly proud of Catherine’s accomplishment. Catherine is well on her way to fulfilling her goal of becoming a pilot.
“After sending students solo in conventional airplanes for over 20 years, it was exciting and rewarding to watch Catherine solo in an electric airplane for the first time,” says Ian Lamont, Chief Flight Instructor.
Working closely with Transport Canada regulators, and under a special trial program, Sealand Flight is the first flight school in the country to be offering primary flight training on an electric airplane. This pioneering initiative serves as a foundation for further commercial implementation of zero-emissions aircraft. Through the electric airplane training flights, our nation’s regulators and industry members are studying and evaluating how aviation can feasibly adopt these emerging technologies.
In addition to primary flight training in the Velis Electro, Sealand Flight offers electric sightseeing experiences for the public, and Electric Airplane Differences Training for licensed pilots.
About Sealand Flight Ltd.
Sealand Flight Ltd., located at the Campbell River Airport, is a community-based provider of flight training and small aircraft charters, operating additional flying schools in Powell River, Courtenay, and Qualicum Beach. Sealand Flight is dedicated to opening the doorway to aviation training for people of all ages, offering a diverse array of aviation experiences, including electric aircraft.
For more information, please visit Sealand Flight’s website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact:
Mike Andrews
Pilot and Spokesperson
250-951-4856
David Dong
Marketing Manager
506-961-7728
