If ANY company can make this work, it’s Pipistrel. They have a lot of experience with electric self-launch gliders, and they are a fast-moving and innovative company (probably because they aren’t hampered with the FAA certification).
Which brings up another point–since the aircraft is not certified, I would guess that both student and instructors will have to have an FAA “Letter Of Deviation Authority” (LODA) to operate the aircraft–at least for the FAA-estimated 4 years to correct their screw-up). (Laugh)
Short range and duration? Don’t forget the “UP TO 50 minutes duration.” Like so many advertised products, the “UP TO” means “Your experience may (and likely will) be less…”
Note that once again, this is a UNIVERSITY (public money) that is plunking down the $200 G purchase price. The aircraft has been out a while, and there has been a dearth of retail buyers. What have those potential buyers that have considered and rejected the aircraft learned that the University (the people that are supposed to TEACH) have not?