Electric planes to join Pilot Academy - airBaltic & Diamond sign LOI

airBaltic Training signed a LOI with Diamond Aircraft for the acquisition of three all-electric eDA40 and two DA42-VI aircraft. Thus, the airBaltic Pilot Academy's fleet will grow to 15 aircraft in total. This strategic move underscores airBaltic's commitment to sustainable aviation and the expansion of its Pilot Academy. eDA40, which will be the first EASA/FAA certified electric airplane in its category, marks a major step towards zero-emission flight training.

It uses advanced electric motors with over 94% efficiency and a dual winding/controller for better reliability and safety. Its all-electric design ensures zero emissions and lower noise levels, making it perfect for eco-friendly pilot training. Moreover, the eDA40 features dual string battery system and a fast charging system that can recharge the aircraft in 20-30 minutes, reducing downtime and increasing training efficiency.

Pauls Cālītis, Chief Operations Officer of airBaltic: “The upcoming arrival of these innovative aircraft is a significant milestone in our mission to provide top-tier, sustainable training for future pilots. We are dedicated to expanding our fleet with cutting-edge technology to meet the growing demand for highly skilled aviation professionals. Therefore, we have decided to continue our successful cooperation with a long-term partner Diamond Aircraft, by jointly agreeing on the delivery of an additional five aircraft, gradually until 2030. The airBaltic Pilot Academy, which recently celebrated the addition of its 10th Diamond DA40 NG aircraft, continues to invest in advanced training technologies.”

Jane Wang, Sales Director Diamond Aircraft Austria said: “We are excited to announce that our long-term customer airBaltic Training will acquire our all-electric eDA40 and additional DA42-VI aircraft. This investment underscores their commitment to embracing cutting-edge technology and sustainability in flight training. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership and supporting their growth in the years to come.”  

There are 136 active students at the airBaltic Pilot Academy at the moment. Most of them are from the Baltic countries, however, there are students also from other EU countries such as Denmark, Germany, France, Finland, Spain and Italy among others. Overall, more than 10% of airBaltic Pilot Academy students are female. As for now, 99 students, after graduating, have joined airBaltic. More information about the Pilot Academy: www.pilotacademy.com.