Pipistrel
Virus
The Pipistrel Virus is a high‑performance, two‑seat motor glider that emerged from the Slovenian manufacturer’s dedication to efficient, low‑cost flight. Development began in 1996 when Pipistrel’s founder Ivo Boscarol sought to combine the glide‑ratio of a sailplane with the convenience of an engine. The first prototype flew in 1999, and production models entered the market in 2000, quickly gaining certification across Europe and later in the United States under FAA’s Light‑Sport Aircraft rules.
Key features include a sleek composite airframe, a retractable 30‑horsepower Rotax 912 engine, and a glide ratio exceeding 30:1. The Virus‑ST, introduced in 2005, added winglets and a carbon‑fiber wing extension, raising the cruise speed to 260 km/h while maintaining fuel consumption under 4 litres per hour. Its side‑by‑side cockpit, advanced avionics suite, and optional electric‑assist propulsion make it versatile for training, cross‑country touring, and competition soaring.
The aircraft’s significance lies in demonstrating that clean‑technology concepts can thrive in general aviation. The Virus set benchmarks for performance‑to‑power ratio, inspired a new generation of hybrid motor gliders, and helped cement Pipistrel’s reputation as an innovator in sustainable flight. It has earned multiple world records, including the longest distance flown on a single tank of fuel for a light‑sport aircraft, and received the 2007 Green Aircraft award.
Key features include a sleek composite airframe, a retractable 30‑horsepower Rotax 912 engine, and a glide ratio exceeding 30:1. The Virus‑ST, introduced in 2005, added winglets and a carbon‑fiber wing extension, raising the cruise speed to 260 km/h while maintaining fuel consumption under 4 litres per hour. Its side‑by‑side cockpit, advanced avionics suite, and optional electric‑assist propulsion make it versatile for training, cross‑country touring, and competition soaring.
The aircraft’s significance lies in demonstrating that clean‑technology concepts can thrive in general aviation. The Virus set benchmarks for performance‑to‑power ratio, inspired a new generation of hybrid motor gliders, and helped cement Pipistrel’s reputation as an innovator in sustainable flight. It has earned multiple world records, including the longest distance flown on a single tank of fuel for a light‑sport aircraft, and received the 2007 Green Aircraft award.
