The aviation industry is undergoing a major transformation with the shift towards sustainable technologies, and at the forefront of this movement is the electrification of aircraft. Elisen is proud to be actively contributing to this future by working closely with CAE, Transport Canada, and other partners to develop and certify electric aircraft. Our joint effort with CAE recently led to the establishment of Canada’s first certification criteria for electric aircraft, marking a milestone in green aviation.
Pioneering Electric Aircraft with CAE
CAE, a global leader in aviation training and simulation, has been committed to reducing aviation’s environmental impact. After extensive research, CAE selected the Piper Archer® for an electric conversion project, aiming to commercialize electric conversion kits for its fleet. For this ambitious undertaking, CAE relied on Elisen’s expertise in aircraft certification, appointing us as their prime Design Approval Organization (DAO) to navigate the regulatory challenges associated with electric aviation. Our collaboration is built on a shared commitment to advancing sustainable flight, strengthened by years of trust and a unified vision.
Creating a New Certification Framework
One of the greatest challenges in the electrification of aircraft is the lack of a fully developed regulatory framework, which adds complexity to the certification process. Unlike traditional fuel-powered aircraft, electric aircraft face unique regulatory hurdles around battery energy density, power distribution, and safety standards—particularly battery safety and fire risks. As CAE’s partner DAO, Elisen plays a critical role in ensuring that the electric Piper Archer design meets rigorous safety and performance standards, working in close alignment with Transport Canada to establish certification benchmarks for this new category of aviation.
Transport Canada’s issuance of the G-1 Issue Paper, outlining certification criteria for the electric Piper Archer, marks a key step toward setting standards that will guide the certification of future electric aircraft. This document represents a regulatory foundation that Elisen and its partners helped to shape, making it adaptable for future technologies and aircraft classes. This milestone is not only a win for our project but also a pioneering achievement for electric aviation certification in Canada and beyond.
Collaboration as a Key to Success
The success of this project is due to the strength of collaboration between Elisen, CAE, Piper Aircraft, Cert Center Canada, BAC Aerospace and Transport Canada. Each organization has contributed unique insights and expertise to overcome technical and regulatory challenges. CAE’s focus on system integration design and Elisen’s concentration on airframe and systems certification allows each partner to operate at peak efficiency while ensuring the highest safety and performance standards will be met.
Elisen’s Chief Engineer, Taïf Rahman, highlights the value of this partnership: “The decades of expertise our teams bring to this project, along with streamlined communication, has been essential to achieving such a significant milestone. Together, we’re defining new standards for electric aviation, which requires both technical acumen and clear, coordinated effort.”
Laying the Foundation for Future Electric and Hybrid Aviation
The Piper Archer project sets the stage for certifying more complex electric and hybrid aircraft, including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) platforms. While smaller aircraft like the Piper Archer are prime candidates for full electrification, larger aircraft will require hybrid power solutions in the near term. The certification framework we helped develop will support these advancements, creating pathways for sustainable technologies across a broad range of aircraft.
A Historic Milestone for Sustainable Flight
As Canada’s first electric aircraft project to achieve this level of certification, the Piper Archer marks a significant achievement in aviation. While other electric aircraft projects in Canada and around the world operate under experimental permits, our work with CAE and Transport Canada is setting the standard for commercial electric aircraft certification in Canada, bringing us closer to a more sustainable, low-emission future for aviation.
At Elisen, we are honored to play a leading role in this journey toward greener aviation. Our partnership with CAE and Transport Canada is not just about certifying an electric aircraft; it’s about pioneering a new era of flight that is safer, more sustainable, and increasingly electric. This project is only the beginning, and we look forward to continuing to shape the future of flight through our dedication to innovation and sustainable technology.
