Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Textron’s plans for the advanced air mobility sector became a lot clearer with last month’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2022-04-19/textron-completes-pipistrel-acquisition">acquisition</a> of European electric aviation pioneer Pipistrel. Now the U.S. group is preparing to expand its portfolio to include ground-breaking products such as the hybrid-electric Panthera light aircraft, the Nuuva family of cargo drones, and, possibly, an eVTOL air taxi vehicle.
“Our top priority is to bring the Panthera to type certification&nbsp;and the Nuuva is probably number two on our list,” Pipistrel’s new president and managing director Gabe Massey told AIN.
The Slovenia-based company, founded by Ivo Boscarol 33 years ago, is now one of two units in Textron’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-03-17/textron-buying-pipistrel-boost-electric-aviation-plans">eAviation division</a>. The other unit is called Nexus, the inherited name from&nbsp;Textron subsidiary Bell’s planned, but since abandoned, eVTOL program.
Massey said that an eVTOL aircraft could yet be part of the mix for Textron, with the expectation that the new group would tap Bell's expertise in vertical takeoff technology. Pipistrel has previously worked on an eVTOL design, and, like Bell, was once one of several prospective partners in the Uber Elevate program to advance urban air mobility services. This approach fell apart when Uber sold Elevate to rival eVTOL developer Joby Aviation in January 2021.
“We’ve always talked about taking a measured approach to urban air mobility, and Textron definitely needs to be there,” said Massey. In his view, Textron brings valuable experience in certifying new aircraft to this challenge, based on its Cessna and Beechcraft families of business aviation products.
Pipistrel itself is no novice when it comes to bringing new aircraft to market. In June 2020, the company achieved the world’s first type certification of an electric aircraft when EASA approved its Velis Electro. Textron believes the two-seat trainer could have a big impact on the U.S. market.
“There is still some regulatory work to be done [with the FAA] but this is very much a priority too,” Massey explained. “And there is no better way to do this than with something that is already flying with proven reliability and with an EASA type certificate.”
But Pipistrel’s innovation ambitions don’t stop there. The company has also been working on a 19-passenger regional airliner&nbsp;called the Miniliner. It is intended to operate on routes of around 300 nm, connecting small airports with little or no scheduled airline services to bigger international gateways.
&nbsp;
<figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="Pipistrel Miniliner" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="69771392-60b0-436c-9f5f-5a98aef65d7c" src="/sites/default/files/pipistrel_19-seater_copy_0.png" width="800" height="450" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">Pipistrel is working on plans for a 19-passenger electric regional airliner called the Miniliner. (Image: Pipistrel)</figcaption>
</figure>
&nbsp;
Visitors to the EBACE show can see the four-seat Panthera hydrogen-powered technology demonstrator for themselves at EBACE this week. The program is backed by the European Union’s Modular Approach to Hybrid Electric Propulsion Architecture project.
Meanwhile, start-ups like MagniX and Ampaire are advancing plans to convert the ubiquitous Cessna Grand Caravan turboprop workhorse&nbsp;to hybrid-electric propulsion. This begs the question as to why Textron’s new eAviation division wouldn’t take on this challenge itself.
“We haven’t answered this for ourselves yet, but this is exactly the type of question that the acquisition [of Pipistrel] will drive us towards,” said Massey. “Pipistrel has built the Panthera and this will be a product for us in the future; we could take that knowledge and apply it to another turboprop.”
Massey praised Pipistrel’s approach of&nbsp;“bringing innovation to market in a measured way."&nbsp;He said that with the Velis Electro, “it didn’t decide to put batteries in a brand new airplane, it elected to take a new battery system and put it in a proven certified product, and that’s the same approach they’ve taken with the Panthera.”
&nbsp;
<figure style="margin:0;">
<div style="margin-bottom:5px;"><img alt="Pipistrel Nuuva 300 cargo drone." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cc0cf9d6-7e61-4e66-8c91-b9601916dc8f" src="/sites/default/files/pipistrel-nuuva-v300-loading.jpg" width="811" height="579" loading="lazy"></div>
<figcaption style="font-size:1.5rem;line-height:1.2;font-style:italic;">Pipistrel is developing the Nuuva family of cargo delivery drones. (Image: Pipistrel)</figcaption>
</figure>
&nbsp;
While to observers the somewhat maverick, hyperactive Pipistrel might not seem like a natural fit with the more buttoned-up corporate American giant that is Textron (Booth U17, Static AD_6), the newly merged companies may be more aligned in their thinking than might appear to be the case at face value.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Textron Enters Electric Aviation Age With Pipistrel Acquisition

Textron's Pipistrel subsidiary could catapult the company into the electric aviation age, with drones, hydrogen propulsion, and eVTOL vehicles in the mix.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Business jet asking prices were down by 6.16% YOY in November

Prices Ebb in Preowned Bizjet Market as Inventory Grows

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Two more air shows on the schedule, plus a new awards ceremony for FBOs

AIN Announces New Events and Content for Busy 2025

Matt Thurber

Long range and a large cabin are Middle East prerequisites

Dassault's Falcons Fly in Middle East Market

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

EBACE 2022

More In Aircraft

Prices Ebb in Preowned Bizjet Market as Inventory Grows

Business jet asking prices were down by 6.16% YOY in November

AIN Announces New Events and Content for Busy 2025

Two more air shows on the schedule, plus a new awards ceremony for FBOs

Dassault's Falcons Fly in Middle East Market

Long range and a large cabin are Middle East prerequisites

Airbus Corporate Jets Poised for Record Year

Around 60 ACJ aircraft are based in the Middle East

Trio of Boeing Business Jets Takes Bow at MEBAA Show

VIP-configured BBJ1 and BBJ2 aircraft on display in Dubai

Louis Seno To Take Helm as Executive Director of IADA

Wayne Starling has led the organization since October 2018

Bombardier Speeds To 200 Global 7500 Deliveries

Milestone 200th delivery reached in just six years

Gulfstream Fleet Grows in Fertile Middle East

More than 120 of the OEM's jets are now based in the region

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN