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Sealand Flight celebrates electric airplane student solo

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Sealand Flight has celebrated what it said is the first solo flight of a Canadian student pilot in an electric airplane.

Catherine Check, 18, has been learning to fly in the flight school’s Velis Electro. On Dec. 18, 2024, with about 10 hours of training experience, Check is said to have become Canada’s first-ever student pilot to fly solo in an electric airplane.

Catherine Check, 18, has been learning to fly in the flight school’s Velis Electro. Sealand Aviation Photo

This milestone is seen as 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 endeavour and is incredibly proud of Check’s accomplishment. Check is well on her way to fulfilling her goal of becoming a pilot. 

On Dec. 18, 2024, with about 10 hours of training experience, Check is said to have become Canada’s first-ever student pilot to fly solo in an electric airplane. Sealand Aviation Photo

“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,” said Ian Lamont, chief flight instructor.

Working closely with Transport Canada regulators, and under a special trial program, Sealand Flight is said to be the first flight school in the country to be offering primary flight training on an electric airplane.

“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,” said Ian Lamont, chief flight instructor. Sealand Aviation Photo

This initiative serves as a foundation for further commercial implementation of zero-emissions aircraft. Through the electric airplane training flights, 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 licenced pilots.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Sealand Flight.

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