What is the added value of being a member of the SESAR 3 JU?

SESAR 3 JU allows for development and demonstration of solutions, which are not yet enabled by the current state of regulation or standardisation. For any forward looking aviation business, but especially for ones aspiring to bring advanced aerial mobility solutions and new services to the market, involvement in SESAR 3 JU represents a unique de-risking element on their journey, as well as an opportunity to shape the future alongside other key stakeholders.

Why is air traffic management and its digital transformation important to Pipistrel?

Pipistrel has embraced digitalisation of our products already on several fronts. We design or products entirely digitally, we already deliver digitally controlled electric powered airplanes to customers, so digitalisation of flight is the next obvious frontier. Pipistrel is investing to bring to the market large cargo-delivery drones, which can operate any time, anywhere, without the need of runways and segregated airspace. Concurrently we look forward to ways digitalisation can deliver for manned aircraft with enhanced on-board and connected systems, both in lieu of improving safety and quality of service, as well as reducing environmental impact of aviation.

What are Pipistrel’s top three innovation priorities?

• Operation of large unmanned eVTOL aircraft for delivery of cargo and goods, any-time and any-where.
• Integration of unmanned traffic to all classes of airspace
• Improved safety and reduced environmental footprint for all aircraft on the account of digital support systems for crews.

In which flagships of the Digital European Sky programme is Pipistrel particularly interested in getting involved, and why?

We appreciate the power of demonstrations and pushing the limit of what is possible today. This is how innovation happens and how our mindsets, often our biggest hurdle, can shift towards quicker and more effective implementation to everyday operations.