Teen completes UK's first electric flying scholarship

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By Sky Industry News

Sep 7, 2024

On July 25, 1909, Louis Blériot landed near Dover Castle in Kent, England, in a Blériot XI, becoming the first person to cross the English Channel in a heavier-than-air airplane. Over a century later, in August 2024, that pioneering spirit continued when 17-year-old Isla Watson became the first person to complete an Electric Flying Scholarship from The Air League, an aviation and aerospace social mobility charity founded in 1909.

“I saw scholarship applications were open on The Air League’s Instagram,” Watson explained. “I went to the website to see what was available and liked the look of the Electric Flying Scholarship. I study geography and environmental science at college, both related to sustainability, and I have a qualification in carbon literacy. Being able to combine my interests in aviation and sustainability seemed like an amazing opportunity.”

The three-day scholarship was delivered by charter specialist Saxon Air at its Norwich Airport base in Norfolk, UK. It included five hours of flying on the world’s first certified electric aircraft, the Pipistrel Velis Electro, comprehensive ground school instruction, focused discussions on sustainability in aviation, and optional simulator training.

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Saxon Air operates a fleet of business jets and helicopters and is investigating and promoting aviation sustainability. This includes flying the Velis Electro to explore its limitations and capabilities.

The Electric Flying Scholarship aims to demonstrate the aircraft’s usefulness as an elementary trainer while promoting aviation as a sustainable career choice for future pilots.

Watson traveled to Norwich with four hours of Cessna 152 trial lessons logged. She appreciated the Velis Electro but noted differences from conventional flight experiences.

“It was set up to be similar to any general aviation aircraft of that type," she told Runway Girl Network. "It’s really the experience of flying something smoother and lighter that you notice,” she said. “On the ground...when there’s no throttle input the propeller stops. And it made a cool noise...like a jet.”

Familiar with Velis aircraft's unusual seating position—placing pilots low with slightly elevated legs—Watson admitted initial surprise but found it comfortable for short flights.

The challenge of delivering 45 minutes of useful flight time from Velis Electro’s batteries means its cockpit has small screens rather than fully glass flight decks. Watson enjoyed this: “I really liked the cockpit...seeing and experiencing touchscreen instruments was really cool and exciting.”

Blessed with good weather during her three days in Norwich, Watson did not use the Velis Electro simulator but found plenty to do without feeling overwhelmed despite being alone as the first scholar.

Watson praised Saxon Air's professional yet friendly approach: “They treated me no differently from any other student."

This scholarship doubled Watson’s flying hours and reinforced her ambition: “I want to become an airline pilot through an integrated airline transport pilot license course...the industry seems to offer so much opportunity.”

Ian Morrison, CEO of The Air League said they are thrilled "to provide the UK’s first Electric Flying Scholarship for aspiring aviators who want a more sustainable industry."