Pipistrel Uses CATIA PLM Express for Lightweight Aircraft Design
Case study shows how Pipistrel replaced manual composite design methods with CATIA PLM Express, shortening new aircraft development time by 25%.
Pipistrel, a Slovenian manufacturer of electric and fuel-efficient light aircraft, adopted CATIA PLM Express and its Composites module to design complex aerodynamic surfaces. The software replaced trial-and-error joining of wings and fuselage with precise 3D modeling, enabling accurate ply definition, surface blending, and direct integration with CNC cutting. The company is now designing its first four-seat, 400 km/h aircraft entirely in CATIA with a smaller engine than competitors.
CATIA Composites module replaced manual trial-and-error methods for shaping wings, fuselage, and tail surfaces
Development cycle for new four-seat aircraft shortened by 25 percent
Design precision to 0.01 mm supports critical aerodynamic performance requirements
Composite ply definition and wall thickness calculations performed directly in 3D models
Future plans include full material database migration and ERP integration of lay-up and process data
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