ASL Academy, part of the Limburg ASL Group led by entrepreneur Philippe Bodson, will use the first 100% electrically powered aircraft for the training of pilots at Antwerp airport. A milestone for sustainable aviation and embracing innovative technologies. “A pioneering role that we are happy to take on. Waiting is not in our DNA,” says Philippe Bodson.
“We are going to put our 100% electric 2-seater training aircraft into use, making ASL Academy the first flying school in Belgium to offer electric flying in its training program for private or professional pilots,” explains the Limburg entrepreneur. “These electric aircraft have a flying time of 1 hour, which is not enough for navigation, but is enough to teach the student the basic maneuvers at the beginning of his training. This technology is of course still in full development and – together with other sustainable alternatives – can be called promising. In addition to our ecological investments in solar panels, electric cars, water treatment plants, etc., and the introduction of sustainable fuels, these electric aircraft demonstrate ASL Group’s commitment to investing in sustainable aviation.”
Flemish Minister of Mobility Lydia Peeters was in Antwerp to launch the scoop. “The arrival of these electric aircraft shows that our regional airports are extremely suitable as a testing ground for technological innovations that go hand in hand with sustainability,” she says. “Electric flying represents a true revolution for the aviation sector and has beneficial effects for both environment, the passengers and the pilots.”
Bart De Wever, mayor of the City of Antwerp, is happy with the landing of ASL in his home city. “With the entry into service of two electric training aircraft, our airport is helping to build the sustainable, low-noise and efficient air traffic of tomorrow. Thanks to these investments, pilots from all over our country can experience what electric flying entails. Electrification of larger aircraft is no longer a dream, but a certainty.”
Johan Maertens, co-CEO of ASL Group, gives the final word: “Electric flying represents a major technological challenge. But innovation is happening at lightning speed thanks to increasingly powerful batteries. Business aviation plays an important role in this, because we can respond perfectly to this with generally smaller aircraft and shorter distances. Ultimately, electric aircraft will become one of the most environmentally friendly means of transportation.”
