Ajdovščina, Slovenia – 1 December 2025 – Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. company, has announced that the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority (Aerocivil) has issued type certification for its Pipistrel Explorer, Velis Club, and the X-Eye, a 121A Explorer variant designed for aerial surveying.

This landmark achievement makes Pipistrel the first organisation to receive Colombian Aeronautical Regulation-Very Light Aircraft (RAC-VLA) certification from Aerocivil. The certification validates the integrity of Pipistrel’s traditional combustion engine aircraft, opening new opportunities for Colombian operators and strengthening the company’s global presence.

Gabriel Massey, President and Managing Director of Pipistrel, said: “Pipistrel’s successful type certification by Aerocivil marks a crucial step in demonstrating our commitment to meeting international aviation standards. This achievement not only opens up new opportunities in Colombia but also serves as a blueprint for our entry into other markets with similar regulatory frameworks.”

The Pipistrel Explorer is designed for superior performance with minimum power requirements, capable of operating in varied temperatures and altitudes. Approved for day and night VFR operations, intentional spins, and equipped with IFR-ready avionics, the Explorer (Virus SW 121A) previously achieved EASA type certification in 2021.

The Velis Club, based on the Virus SW 121, is tailored for flight training and other applications. The X-Eye, developed for X-Eye AG, serves as a surveying platform for remote sensing tasks such as 3D modeling, pipeline inspections, and environmental analysis.

Headquartered in Ajdovščina, Slovenia, Pipistrel develops electric, hybrid-electric, and conventionally powered aircraft. Its portfolio includes the Velis Electro, the world’s first fully certified electric aircraft, and the Alpha Trainer, supporting pilot training and flight schools. Multi-mission aircraft such as the Surveyor and Nuuva V300 serve commercial, humanitarian, and potential defence applications, including search and rescue, disaster relief, and long-range hybrid-electric VTOL operations.

Pipistrel continues to innovate in aviation, providing versatile mobility solutions that advance the future of flight.