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 have been 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 significantly quieter than conventional training aircraft.

Due to these technological developments, the ambitions of the government and the call for sustainability, we believe that flight schools should switch to electrically powered aircraft within ten years. E-Flight Academy is the first organization in the Netherlands to take this step now and to 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 wherever possible. The knowledge and experience we gain from this will be needed by the sector to transport passengers with larger electric aircraft in the future.

Our vision for a flight school goes beyond just electric flying. For example, we are developing new simulators to reduce the need to fly. We are digitizing all the processes you encounter during training. In 2022 we purchased a hangar at Teuge airfield. This hangar is called E-Deck and since 2023 we have been flying on the sun. In addition to being a beautiful meeting and event location, E-Deck is an energy generator with over 500 solar panels on the roof. We store this power in a large battery. So quite literally, we fly on the sun

Meet Evert-Jan Feld (left) and Matthijs Collard (right). Evert-Jan began his career in the military where he flew many hours on various airplanes and helicopters. In recent years he worked as a pilot, instructor and examiner at the ANWB and several flight schools. Including as Head of Training. With the emerging electrification of aviation, Evert-Jan saw the opportunity to start a new flight school.

Matthijs only has flight hours as a passenger. Yes, those are holiday flights. And in recent years he wasn't exactly proud of that. He would rather drive a few thousand kilometres with his family in his electric car. A few years ago he asked himself whether he could contribute to making aviation more sustainable. He freed himself from his role as director and digital designer at his design agency, went searching and met Evert-Jan.

While Evert-Jan focuses on the quality of the training, Matthijs works on digitizing processes and delivering the ultimate customer experience. Also beyond flying.