Pipistrel WattsUp
The Pipistrel WattsUp was an electric light-aircraft demonstrator that helped prove batteries could power practical flight. It set electric-aircraft speed records in 2011 and became a precursor to Pipistrel’s later certified electric designs. Its small fleet makes it a rare landmark in electric aviation.
Did you know?
Built on Pipistrel's Alpha Trainer airframe, the WattsUp's test flights led directly to the production Alpha Electro trainer.
Specifications
| Length | 6.5 m (21 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 10.7 m (35 ft) |
| Height | 1.9 m (6 ft) |
| Maximum passengers | 1 |
| Persons on board | 2 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Maximum take-off weight | 0.5 t |
| Range | 100 NM (185 km) |
| Maximum speed | 150 kt (278 km/h) |
| Service ceiling | 12,000 ft (3,658 m) |
| Rate of climb | 1,200 ft/min (6.1 m/s) |
| Take-off distance | 265 m (869 ft) |
| Landing distance | 270 m (886 ft) |
| Engines | 1x electric motor |
Curated by CatchFlights from manufacturer documents, ICAO Doc 8643 and reference works; values are left out where no source could confirm them. Sources are listed on our credits page.
In CatchFlights
In CatchFlights the Pipistrel WattsUp starts as a Rare catch. The tier is an editorial judgement of how special a sighting of this type is. The more often you catch it, the closer it moves to Common for you.
A catch counts for the manufacturer Pipistrel, the WattsUp family and the model in your collection, and the daily Type Rating quiz asks about the types of each family.
Catch it yourself.CatchFlights shows the aircraft flying near you on a radar, so a type like this one is only a catch away when it passes overhead. Explore CatchFlights.
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