Slovenian Pipistrel becomes part of Textron’s electric aviation business

The US giant Textron, which owns the global brands Bell, Cessna and Beechcraft, has acquired Pipistrel, a company developing electric and hybrid light aircraft, for €218 million.

The Slovenian manufacturer will become part of the US group’s Textron eAviation business unit, which develops electric-powered aircraft, but
its research and development and manufacturing activities will remain at its sites in Slovenia and Italy.

Textron plans to expand its manufacturing and product development capabilities for electric and hybrid-electric powered aircraft through further investment in Pipistrel. In addition, the US parent company will support the Slovenian manufacturer with its expertise and resources in technical and regulatory certification, as well as its global sales and product support network.

Textron’s statement recalls that its Pipistrel Velis Electro, founded in 1989, is the first and currently the only electric-powered aircraft to have obtained full type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). To date, the Slovenian company has delivered more than 2,500 glider and light aircraft types with both electric and conventional engines, and is also working on the development of several electric and hybrid powered models.