VoltAero has initiated the certification testing for the five-seat Cassio 330 version’s parallel electric-hybrid powertrain installed on a ground-based test bench, integrating Safran Electrical & Power’s ENGINeUS 100 smart electric motor.
VoltAero has achieved a significant milestone in the development of its Cassio e-aircraft family with the initiation of certification testing for the five-seat Cassio 330 version’s parallel electric-hybrid powertrain. This powertrain, installed on a ground-based test bench, integrates Safran Electrical & Power’s ENGINeUS 100 smart electric motor and Kawasaki’s high-performance thermal engine derived from the Ninja motorcycle, key components for series production Cassio 330s.
The Cassio 330’s powertrain boasts a combined electric-hybrid power of 330 kilowatts, with 180 kilowatts delivered by the ENGINeUS 100 electric motor and 150 kilowatts provided by the Kawasaki thermal engine.
“Full-scale powertrain certification testing for our Cassio 330 marks another important step in VoltAero’s commitment to produce a new-generation electric-hybrid aircraft family, bringing together our proprietary powertrain with an airframe that is optimized for aerodynamic and operational efficiency,” said Jean Botti, CEO and Chief Technology Officer, VoltAero.
Botti further noted that VoltAero’s overall architecture for the Cassio 330 powertrain has been validated through extensive flight testing with the company’s Cassio S testbed airplane. The Cassio S, equipped with a powertrain rated at 600 kilowatts, represents the most powerful electric-hybrid system of its kind currently flying. The Cassio S has completed over 230 flights since October 2020, accumulating more than 170 flight hours, covering 15,000 kilometers, and visiting over 40 airports.
VoltAero’s parallel electric-hybrid propulsion concept for Cassio is distinctive, utilizing the electric motor in its aft fuselage-mounted propulsion unit for all-electric power during taxi, takeoff, primary flight (for distances less than 150 km), and landing. The hybrid aspect, featuring the internal combustion engine in the powertrain, serves as a range extender by recharging the batteries in flight and acts as a backup in case of electric propulsion issues, ensuring fail-safe functionality.
Integrating VoltAero’s parallel electric-hybrid propulsion system into the purpose-designed Cassio airframe is expected to deliver significantly higher performance compared to existing competition and lower operational costs. The Cassio airframe design includes a sleek fuselage, forward fixed canard, and aft-set wing with twin booms supporting a high-set horizontal tail.
VoltAero plans to certify the first production aircraft version, the Cassio 330, by late 2025. Subsequent versions will include the six-seat Cassio 480 with a combined electric-hybrid propulsion power of 480 kilowatts and the Cassio 600, a 10/12-seat capacity aircraft with electric-hybrid propulsion power of 600 kilowatts.
The Cassio aircraft family is positioned as a reliable and capable product line suitable for regional commercial operators, air taxi/charter companies, private owners, and utility-category services such as cargo, postal delivery, and medical evacuation (Medevac) applications.
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VoltAero’s headquarters and technical offices are currently based in Médis, France, with a new purpose-built facility incorporating the final assembly line for Cassio aircraft under construction in Rochefort, France, set to be inaugurated later this year.
