The Alpha was announced at the end of 2011 and production started in 2012. The aircraft was designed to comply with the US light-sport aircraft rules. It features a cantilever high-wing, a two-seats in side-by-side configuration, tricycle landing gear and a single 80 hp (60 kW) Rotax 912UL engine in tractor configuration. The aircraft is made from composites and features landing gear especially designed for training use. A ballistic parachute is standard equipment along with traditional and cheaper round-dial style flight instruments, rather than a glass cockpit. Variant. Alpha Electro. Pipistrel introduced an electric version called the Alpha Electro in 2015 at a price of 69,000 euros, with technology from the Pipistrel WATTsUP proof of concept design, for short training. It has energy for one flight hour plus reserves, and can recharge in 45 minutes or have its batteries replaced in 5 minutes. Instead of 78 lb (35.5 kg) of fuel, it has 277 pounds (126 kg) of LiPo cells, however the water cooled electric motor weighs 11 kg; much less than the gasoline engine. It has a useful load of 380 lb, whereas a Cessna 152 has between 350–480 lb useful load. Specifications for the gasoline model.
