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As a flight instructor, I've flown many different training aircraft, and the Pipistrel Alpha Trainer is one of the best primary trainers I've experienced. Its light, responsive controls and predictable handling make it an excellent platform for teaching fundamental stick-and-rudder skills while building confidence in new pilots. The outstanding visibility and comfortable cockpit allow students to focus on learning, and instructors can count on an aircraft that performs consistently and inspires confidence.

Just as importantly, the Alpha Trainer is simply fun to fly. Its efficient design, sporty handling, and comfortable cabin make every lesson enjoyable, from a student's first flight to checkride preparation. It's a modern, economical trainer that delivers an exceptional flying experience, and I would confidently recommend it to any flight school or anyone looking for a quality training aircraft.

I reached out to Elemental Aviation in Heber City, Utah, and was promptly connected with their regional sales manager, Kagen Nelson, who was extremely responsive throughout the process. Buyers always have a lot of questions when purchasing an aircraft, and Kagen was patient and helpful answering them as they came up over the several months we waited for my new 2026 Pipistrel Virus SW to arrive from overseas. I wanted to be part of the delivery and assembly, and the team at Elemental was very accommodating of that request.

Once the aircraft was assembled and deemed airworthy by the FAA, it went up for a test flight ahead of my training. Kagen came down with a smile on his face after flying it with the newly installed DUC Tiger Black three-blade propeller — it was clear the airplane was something special.

Elemental was generous with their time while I was in Utah taking possession of the aircraft, giving me all the transition training I needed. I found the Virus remarkably easy to learn and adapt to. We departed Heber City, ran through practice landings and maneuvers at surrounding mountain airports, and returned to Heber City to wrap up the day.

Now back in Texas, we fly the aircraft as much as we can and love every minute of it. It's easy to fly, the avionics are next-level for situational awareness, and the Virus checks every box we had — an excellent cross-country machine that gets you where you're going quickly and economically.

As a CFI, CFII, CFI-G and MEII, I've had the privilege of flying and giving dual instruction in the full Pipistrel line — the Alpha Trainer, Virus, Virus taildragger, Explorer, Sinus, and Panthera — including soaring instruction in the Sinus. Across every model, these aircraft are exceptional trainers and fun to fly for pleasure: honest handling, superior performance, and a fully equipped Garmin glass avionics suite with the Garmin G500 Autopilot that prepares students for the cockpits they'll see in their follow-on aircraft.

What sets Pipistrel apart is that all of this comes with next-gen efficiency and safety built in. Burning roughly 3 gallons per hour, these airplanes deliver green, energy-efficient flying without sacrificing capability — and the advanced ballistic parachute system provides a layer of protection every pilot and student appreciates. I love flying the entire Pipistrel line! The future of aviation is here, and Pipistrel is leading the way.

Over the last two years, owning and flying our Pipistrel Sinus motorglider has been a great experience. It's been the perfect training airplane, with excellent handling characteristics, benign stall behavior, and low takeoff and landing speeds. It also allowed my son Cody to earn his glider certificate at 16 instead of waiting until 17 for a Single Engine Airplane certificate. The other advantage of getting a glider certificate first was that it only required 10 hours of flight training instead of 40 hours.

The Sinus is also remarkably efficient and affordable to operate. The Rotax 912 engine is simple, reliable, and easy to manage, with no manual mixture control and a cruise fuel burn of 3 gallons per hour on MOGAS or AVGAS. Its full-composite structure and swappable wingtips make it uniquely versatile: with an L/D of 20 using the short tips and 27 using the long tips, we can shut the engine down, feather the prop, and soar in thermals or ridge lift while still having excellent glide range for engine-out emergency scenarios. We've also enjoyed the full glass-panel avionics, with a Garmin G3X Touch and a Garmin Autopilot. Add in the outstanding visibility through the large side windows and the ballistic parachute system, and it is just a fun, economical, and safe airplane for training and enjoying the scenery below.