VoltAero Initiates Certification Tests For Cassio 330 Electric-Hybrid Powertrain

In a significant advancement for the aviation industry, VoltAero has initiated certification testing for the powertrain of its Cassio 330, a five-seat version of its innovative Cassio e-aircraft family. This development marks a crucial phase in the company's journey towards producing a new generation of electric-hybrid aircraft. The testing is being conducted on a ground-based test bench that features Safran Electrical & Power’s ENGINeUS™ 100 smart electric motor alongside a high-performance thermal engine from Kawasaki, derived from the iconic Ninja® motorcycle.

The Cassio 330's powertrain boasts a combined electric-hybrid output of 330 kilowatts, with the electric motor contributing 180 kilowatts and the Kawasaki thermal engine providing an additional 150 kilowatts. Jean Botti, VoltAero’s CEO and Chief Technology Officer, emphasized that this full-scale powertrain certification testing underscores the company's dedication to merging their proprietary powertrain technology with an airframe designed for peak aerodynamic and operational efficiency.

Conducted at AKIRA Technologies' facility in Bayonne, France, these tests are part of VoltAero's broader strategy to validate its Cassio 330 powertrain architecture. This strategy has already seen success in flight testing with the Cassio S testbed airplane, which is equipped with a 600-kilowatt version of the powertrain—the most potent electric-hybrid system currently in flight. Since October 2020, the Cassio S has completed over 230 flights, accumulating more than 170 flight hours, covering 15,000 kilometers, and visiting over 40 airports.

VoltAero's unique parallel electric-hybrid propulsion concept allows the Cassio aircraft to utilize all-electric power for taxiing, takeoff, primary flight (for distances under 150 km), and landing. The hybrid system acts as a range extender by recharging the batteries mid-flight and serves as a fail-safe backup in case of issues with the electric propulsion.

The design of the Cassio airframe incorporates a sleek fuselage, a forward-fixed canard, and an aft-set wing with twin booms supporting a high-set horizontal tail. This design is expected to deliver superior performance and significantly lower operational costs compared to current competitors.

VoltAero is targeting late 2025 for the certification of its first production aircraft model, the Cassio 330. This will be followed by the six-seat Cassio 480 with a combined propulsion power of 480 kilowatts and the Cassio 600, which will offer seating for 10 to 12 passengers and feature a propulsion power of 600 kilowatts. The Cassio aircraft family aims to serve a wide range of applications including regional commercial operations, air taxi/charter services, private ownership, and utility-category services such as cargo transport, postal delivery, and medical evacuation.