Estimated reading time 4 minutes, 5 seconds.
Owner of the well-known Cessna, Beechcraft, and Bell aviation brands, Textron Inc. on March 17 announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase Slovenia-based Pipistrel, a pioneer in electric aircraft development.
The news comes amid an industry-wide push towards sustainable aviation.
Textron believes the acquisition will provide Pipistrel with “access to greater resources, technical and regulatory expertise, and a global aircraft sales and support network,” all of which will help to accelerate the company’s development and certification of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft.
Pipistrel is the manufacturer of the Velis Electro aircraft, which in 2020 became the world’s first (and is still currently the only) electric aircraft to receive full type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The Velis Electro is currently awaiting FAA approval. In the meantime, the Florida Tech aviation program purchased one aircraft and is testing it in a flight school environment under an experimental certificate.
In a March 17 news release, Textron confirmed that once the deal with Pipistrel closes, it intends to form a new business segment called Textron eAviation, which will include Pipistrel and will focus on sustainable aircraft development. The eAviation segment is to be based in Witchita, Kansas, where the Textron Aviation brands are headquartered.
“Pipistrel puts Textron in a uniquely strong position to develop technologies for the sustainable aviation market and develop a variety of new aircraft to meet a wide range of customer missions,” said Textron chairman and CEO Scott Donnelly. “Today’s announcement supports Textron’s long-term strategy to offer a family of sustainable aircraft for urban air mobility, general aviation, cargo, and special mission roles.”
Donnelly added that Textron intends to maintain “Pipistrel’s brand, headquarters, research and development, and manufacturing in Slovenia and Italy, while making additional investments in Pipistrel for the development and production of future products.”
Pipistrel founder and CEO Ivo Boscarol will remain a minority shareholder of the company and will serve as chairman emeritus. Boscarol will continue to consult on product plans and strategies for the next two years.
“I am delighted to continue witnessing my vision become a reality by being actively engaged with the company for the future,” said Boscarol.
“Under my 30-year leadership, Pipistrel’s team has achieved a unique prime position in personal, affordable, environmentally friendly, and electric aviation,” he added. “To drive Pipistrel’s ambitious goals and to continue its story of success, the joining of Textron and Pipistrel provides deep expertise and resources which would otherwise be inaccessible to Pipistrel alone. . . . We look forward to announcing exciting new products and projects (with Textron).”
The companies are expecting the transaction to close during the second quarter of 2022, pending regulatory approvals.
