Cessna Manufacturer Acquires Slovenian Electric Aircraft Producer

Aviation company Textron Inc., which produces popular and well-known Cessna aircraft among others, has acquired the Slovenian company Pipistrel, recognized as a global leader in electric aircraft.

Pipistrel’s Velis Electro is the first and currently the only electric aircraft in the world to receive full certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The company, which offers gliders and light aircraft with electric motors and internal combustion engines, has delivered over 2,500 light aircraft worldwide since its founding in 1989, and is also developing hybrid and electric propulsion models for aircraft.

Under Textron, Pipistrel will have access to greater resources, technical and regulatory expertise, and a global sales and support network for aircraft, enabling it to accelerate the development and certification of electric and hybrid electric aircraft. Pipistrel now becomes part of Textron’s latest business segment, Textron eAviation.

– Pipistrel has already achieved what many other companies only aspire to – certification and delivery of highly regarded electric aircraft to customers around the world. We are excited to accelerate Pipistrel’s development and combine expertise to make Textron a world leader in sustainable aircraft, said Textron’s President and CEO Scott Donnelly.

Pipistrel will remain a distinct aviation brand within Textron, alongside established brands Cessna, Beechcraft, and Bell. Headquarters, research and development, and production will remain in Slovenia and Italy, where Textron plans to invest further to expand product manufacturing and development capabilities.

– With Pipistrel, we have the opportunity to make an already significant aircraft manufacturer even greater, said Textron eAviation CEO Rob Scholl.

According to the terms of the transaction, Textron purchased Pipistrel for approximately €218 million. The founder and CEO of Pipistrel, Ivo Boscarol, will remain a minority shareholder of Pipistrel with approximately 10 percent ownership for a period of two years, during which he will serve as an advisor.

In 2020, Pipistrel’s Velis Electro became the first and currently the only electric aircraft in the world to receive full type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This achievement followed a series of presentations of electric aircraft since the company began research and development of electric propulsion in 2000. Pipistrel’s pioneering work has been recognized through awards from NASA, IDC, and other organizations.