On 25 July 1909, Louis Blériot landed close to Dover Castle in Kent, England in a Blériot XI, becoming the first person to cross the English Channel in a heavier-than-air airplane. Some 115 years later, in August 2024, that pioneering spirit continued when 17-year old Isla Watson became the first ever person to complete an Electric Flying Scholarship from aviation and aerospace social mobility charity The Air League, which also happens to have been founded in 1909.
“I saw scholarship applications were open on The Air League’s Instagram,” Watson explains. “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.”
Delivered by charter specialist Saxon Air at its Norwich Airport base in Norfolk, UK, the three-day scholarship includes five hours of flying on the world’s first certified electric aircraft, the Pipistrel Velis Electro, as well as comprehensive ground school instruction, focused discussions on the importance of sustainability in aviation, and the option of simulator training.
Saxon Air operates a fleet of business jets and helicopters and is taking a leading role investigating and promoting aviation sustainability. That role includes flying the Velis Electro, exploring both its limitations and capabilities.
The Electric Flying Scholarship demonstrates the aircraft’s usefulness as an elementary trainer and underscores Saxon Air’s determination to show the next generation of pilots that aviation represents a morally responsible, sustainable career choice.
A Velis Electro at Norwich Airport. Image: Saxon Air
Watson travelled to Norwich with four hours of Cessna 152 trial lessons in her logbook. She enjoyed the Velis Electro but recognised the different experience of electric flight.
“It was set up to be similar to any general aviation aircraft of that type, so it’s really the experience of flying something smoother and lighter that you notice,” she tells Runway Girl Network. “On the ground, for example, when there’s no throttle input the propeller stops. And it made a cool noise. Taking off with the flaps down it made a kind of whistling sound, almost like a jet.”
Anyone familiar with the Velis family of aircraft will know the unusual seating position, which places the two pilots low down in the cockpit with their legs slightly elevated. Watson admits to being surprised on first seeing it but says: “It’s a bit weird but not uncomfortable, especially for the 45-minute flights the Velis Electro is capable of. I was used to it by the end of the first flight.”
The challenge of delivering 45 minutes of useful flying time from the Velis Electro’s batteries means its cockpit has two small screens and gauges, rather than a fully glass flight deck. Watson’s perspective, as a digital native coming from an analog Cessna 152, is interesting. “I really liked the cockpit. Having the glass panels, seeing and experiencing touchscreen instruments was really cool and exciting. Everything was useful to learn with.”
Isla Watson in the left-hand seat, ready to go flying as the first ever Electric Flying scholar. Image: Saxon Air
Blessed with good weather during her three days in Norwich, Watson never used the Velis Electro simulator. She says there was still a lot to get through, but the scholarship was well managed; she never felt overwhelmed, even though she was alone as the first ever Electric Flying scholar.
Watson found the Saxon Air team professional, friendly and thorough, treating her no differently to any other student. They also gave her plenty of opportunity to provide feedback.
The Electric Flying Scholarship more than doubled Watson’s flying hours and cemented her ambition. “I want to become an airline pilot through an integrated airline transport pilot license course,” she confides. “As a back-up, I’m researching aviation sustainability roles. Either way, the industry seems to offer so much opportunity.”
For its part, The Air League is thrilled to be working with Saxon Air “to provide the UK’s first Electric Flying Scholarship for the next generation of aspiring aviators who want to work for a more sustainable industry,” says CEO Ian Morrison.
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Featured image credited to Saxon Air
