Green Flight Academy is a Swedish flight school that made history by becoming the world's first to incorporate EASA-certified electric aircraft into an ATPL training curriculum. Based in Skellefteå — 200 km south of the Arctic Circle — the school uses Pipistrel Velis Electro aircraft for approximately 30% of student flight hours, alongside conventional Tecnam and Diamond airframes. Founded in 2021 with its first ATPL class in August 2022, Green Flight Academy targets a generation of pilots who want their career to begin with lower environmental impact from day one.
Green Flight Academy at a Glance
Integrated ATPL
€104K
All-inclusive
Duration
18 mo
Full programme
Electric Hours
~30%
Of flight training
Free Spots
12
From Aug 2026 (YH)
School Overview
Green Flight Academy holds EASA ATO approval (SE.ATO.0036) and is backed by NBP Invest. The school occupies a unique position in European flight training: it combines the full regulatory requirements of an EASA integrated ATPL with a genuine commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of pilot training. The Skellefteå airport is fossil-free, and the school's use of electric aircraft for initial training phases significantly reduces emissions compared to conventional flight schools.
What Makes It Unique
- • World's first electric aircraft in ATPL curriculum
- • Pipistrel Velis Electro (EASA type-certified)
- • Fossil-free airport operations
- • 12 tuition-free spots from August 2026
- • Located in Sweden's green-tech corridor
- • Modern glass cockpit fleet throughout
Fleet
- • Pipistrel Velis Electro (electric, 50-min endurance)
- • Tecnam P2010 TDI (diesel, Garmin G1000 NXi)
- • Diamond DA42-VI (multi-engine)
- • All aircraft: modern glass cockpit avionics
- • Minimal fuel costs on electric phases
- • Low noise — extended training hours possible
Electric Aircraft Training
The Pipistrel Velis Electro is the world's first type-certified electric aircraft, approved by EASA in June 2020. Green Flight Academy uses it for circuit training, basic handling, and initial navigation exercises — phases where the 50-minute endurance is sufficient. The electric motor produces significantly less noise than a combustion engine, which means the school can extend training hours beyond what conventional airports allow. The low operating cost per hour also helps keep the overall programme price competitive despite the premium Swedish location.
For cross-country navigation, instrument training, and multi-engine phases, students transition to the Tecnam P2010 TDI (a diesel-powered single with Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpit, burning just 19 litres per hour of Jet-A1) and the Diamond DA42-VI for multi-engine training. The entire fleet uses modern glass cockpits, giving students consistent avionics experience across all training phases.
Electric Training: What to Expect
Training on the Velis Electro feels similar to a conventional light aircraft but quieter. The electric motor provides instant torque with no propeller RPM management required. Battery status replaces fuel gauges as a critical monitoring parameter. Students report that the reduced noise level improves communication quality during instruction.
Training Programs
Integrated ATPL (Private)
The core programme takes students from zero experience to frozen ATPL over approximately 18 months. The €104,220 price is all-inclusive — training, exams, materials, and flight hours. Monthly instalments of approximately €5,790 spread the cost across the training period. The programme follows the standard EASA integrated curriculum: ground school (14 subjects), PPL phase, basic instrument training, CPL/IR, and multi-engine rating.
Yrkeshögskola (YH) — Tuition-Free Spots
In January 2026, Green Flight Academy received Yrkeshögskola (YH) status from Sweden's National Agency for Higher Vocational Education. This means 12 tuition-free training spots are available from August 2026.
YH students pay only living expenses — the government covers the full training cost. Applications typically open February–April. Eligibility requires EU/EEA citizenship or permanent Swedish residency, plus meeting the standard EASA medical and English proficiency requirements.
Free ATPL Training
Sweden's YH system is one of the very few paths to a fully funded ATPL in Europe. With only 12 spots per intake, competition is intense. Candidates are assessed on aptitude, motivation, and English language skills. If you hold EU/EEA citizenship and are considering pilot training, this is one of the highest-value opportunities available.
Costs & Financing
| Programme | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated ATPL (private) | €104,220 | All-inclusive, 18 months |
| Integrated ATPL (YH) | €0 | 12 spots from Aug 2026, EU/EEA only |
Living costs in Skellefteå are low by Swedish standards — approximately 10,000–12,000 SEK per month (roughly €900–€1,100) including accommodation, food, and transport. The city is small but well-equipped, and rental housing is generally available. Total living cost for 18 months: approximately €16,000–€20,000.
Location & Arctic Weather
Skellefteå sits 200 km south of the Arctic Circle on Sweden's northern coast. The location offers extreme seasonal variation: midnight sun in summer provides nearly 24-hour daylight for intensive flying, while winter brings limited daylight hours and regular instrument meteorological conditions — excellent for building genuine IMC experience but potentially slowing VFR training progress.
The city is undergoing a green-tech transformation driven by the Northvolt battery gigafactory, bringing new infrastructure and international residents. Swedish airspace is uncrowded compared to central Europe, meaning less time holding for departure clearances and more actual flying per hour. The airport itself operates on fossil-free energy, aligning with the school's environmental positioning.
How to Apply
Private applications are accepted year-round through the Green Flight Academy website. For the YH tuition-free programme, applications open February–April through the Swedish YH application portal (yh-antagning.se). All applicants must hold or be eligible for an EASA Class 1 Medical Certificate and demonstrate English proficiency. The school conducts aptitude assessments as part of the selection process.