Aircraft / Pipistrel / Alpha Trainer
Pipistrel Ultralight · Fixed-wing · Slovenia
Alpha Trainer
Seats 2 2
Power 80 hp 60 kW
Cruise 108 kt 200 km/h
Photo: Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0 Photo: Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0 Photo: Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0 Photo: Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0 Photo: Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0 Photo: Ronnie Macdonald from Chelmsford, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0
About the Alpha Trainer
The Pipistrel Alpha Trainer is a fixed-wing ultralight aircraft designed to accommodate two occupants. Built by Pipistrel, this single-engine composite aircraft is configured for flight training, entry-level instruction, and time-building. It suits both student pilots and seasoned aviators seeking low operating costs and reliable performance, featuring a quiet cabin, side-by-side seating, and a robust undercarriage built to handle frequent landings.
Derived from the manufacturer's earlier Sinus and Virus models, the type incorporates a factory-installed ballistic parachute system and glass cockpit avionics. Hundreds of units operate globally within civil and military flight academies, often flying extended hours daily in demanding environments. It functions as an economic trainer certified as a light sport aircraft, offering simple maintenance and a durable airframe designed to make flight instruction more accessible.
Specifications Alpha Trainer · Rotax 912 UL
US Metric
Dimensions
Length 21 ft 4 in 6.50 m 6.50 m 21 ft 4 in
Wingspan 34 ft 5 in 10.50 m 10.50 m 34 ft 5 in
Wing area 102 sq ft 9.5 m² 9.5 m² 102 sq ft
Weights
Empty weight 615 lb 279 kg 279 kg 615 lb
Max take-off weight 1,213 lb 550 kg 550 kg 1,213 lb
Performance
Cruise speed 108 kt 200 km/h 200 km/h 108 kt
Max speed 120 kt 222 km/h 222 km/h 120 kt
Never-exceed speed (Vne) 135 kt 250 km/h 250 km/h 135 kt
Stall speed 43 kt 80 km/h 80 km/h 43 kt
Range 324 nm 600 km 600 km 324 nm
Service ceiling 18,000 ft 5,486 m 5,486 m 18,000 ft
Rate of climb 1,220 ft/min 6.2 m/s 6.2 m/s 1,220 ft/min
Powerplant
Engine Rotax 912 UL
Engine power 80 hp 60 kW 60 kW 80 hp
ICAO type designator PIAT
Registered in New Zealand, Germany, Canada
2020 · 560 h USD
Low $117,000
Typical $125,000
High $140,000
By year built · United States · USD
Built Hours Low Typical High
2012 1,450 $67,000 $72,000 $81,000 2013 1,450 $72,000 $77,000 $86,000 2014 1,450 $77,000 $83,000 $92,000 2015 330 $84,000 $91,000 $101,000 2019 560 $109,000 $117,000 $131,000 2020 560 $117,000 $125,000 $140,000 2021 610 $124,000 $134,000 $149,000 2022 410 $134,000 $144,000 $161,000 2023 410 $143,000 $154,000 $172,000 2024 250 $154,000 $166,000 $185,000
By year built · United Kingdom · GBP
Built Hours Low Typical High
2012 920 £43,000 £55,000 £68,000 2013 1,450 £46,000 £58,000 £72,000 2014 1,450 £49,000 £62,000 £77,000 2015 400 £54,000 £68,000 £84,000 2016 980 £57,000 £71,000 £89,000 2017 1,560 £60,000 £75,000 £94,000 2019 560 £70,000 £88,000 £109,000 2020 350 £75,000 £95,000 £118,000 2021 370 £80,000 £101,000 £126,000 2022 250 £86,000 £109,000 £135,000 2023 250 £92,000 £116,000 £145,000 2024 250 £99,000 £124,000 £155,000
By year built · Euro countries · EUR
Built Hours Low Typical High
2015 1,560 €57,000 €71,000 €89,000 2016 1,560 €60,000 €76,000 €95,000 2017 1,560 €65,000 €81,000 €101,000 2020 140 €82,000 €103,000 €129,000 2021 140 €88,000 €111,000 €138,000 2022 140 €94,000 €118,000 €147,000
Alpha Trainer running costs $246 an hour
A year
Low Typical High
Fuel $3,398 $4,264 $5,018 Oil $64 $80 $104 Engine overhaul reserve $800 $867 $1,167 Annual inspection and maintenance $2,500 $3,500 $4,500 Hangar $3,000 $6,300 $9,600 Insurance $1,263 $1,627 $1,991 Depreciation $3,968 $7,936 $11,904
Total $14,993 $24,574 $34,284
Per hour $150 $246 $343
Engine
Model Rotax 912UL
Power 80 hp
Overhaul 2,000 h / 15 yr
Fuel burn 4.5 – 5.6 gal/h
Fuel price $8.20 /US gal
Value lost a year 7.4%