The story behind E-Flight Academy

In 2020, the first electric aircraft were certified according to the strict requirements of EASA, the European aviation regulator. These aircraft are specially developed for flight training. It is now possible to train pilots without emitting emissions during flight. In addition to the CO2 savings, the aircraft is also considerably quieter than conventional training aircraft.

Due to these technological developments, government ambitions and the call for sustainability, we believe that flight schools will have to switch to electrically powered aircraft within ten years. E-Flight Academy is the first organization in the Netherlands to take this step now and deploy electric flying on this scale.

Our goal is to make flying more sustainable. We do this by starting with the deployment of electric aircraft where possible. The knowledge and experience we gain will be needed by the sector to be able to transport passengers with larger electric aircraft in the future.

Our vision for a flight school goes beyond just electric flying. We develop new simulators to reduce the need for flying. We digitize all processes you encounter during training. In 2022, we purchased a hangar at Teuge airfield. This hangar is called E-Deck and since 2023 we fly on solar power. E-Deck is not only a magnificent meeting and event location but also an energy generator with over 500 solar panels on the roof. We store this power in a large battery. So we literally fly on the sun

Meet Evert-Jan Feld (left) and Matthijs Collard (right). Evert-Jan started his career at the Dutch Ministry of Defense where he flew many hours on various aircraft and helicopters. In recent years he worked as a pilot, instructor and examiner at the ANWB and various flight schools. Among other things as Head of Training. With the emerging electrification of aviation, Evert-Jan saw the opportunity to start a new flight school.

Matthijs only had flying experience as a passenger. Yes, those were holiday flights. And in recent years, he wasn't exactly proud of that. He prefers to drive a few thousand kilometers with his electric car with his family. A few years ago, he wondered whether he could do something to make aviation more sustainable. He freed himself from his role as director and digital designer at his design agency, went in search and met Evert-Jan.

Where Evert-Jan focuses on the quality of the training, Matthijs works on digitization of the processes and an ultimate customer experience. Also outside of flying.