VoltAero has marked a significant milestone in developing its all-new family of Cassio e-aircraft with initiation of flight testing using Safran Electrical & Power’s ENGINeUSTM smart electric motors.
This testing is a major step toward validating the electric and hybrid-electric powertrains for Cassio aircraft. It keeps the company on track in evolving a family of airplanes with four to nine seats, tailored for operation by private owners, air taxi/charter companies, in commercial flights for point-to-point regional travel, and in various utility-category applications.
The current flight evaluations utilize VoltAero’s Cassio 1 testbed aircraft, with the two ENGINeUSTM 45 electric motors installed in forward-facing positions on the wings. Cassio 1 is piloted by Technical Director Didier Esteyne, operating from VoltAero’s headquarters facility at the Royan-Médis Aérodrome in France.
In its full-up nine-seat version, the Cassio aircraft will utilize electric motors along with VoltAero’s proprietary aft-facing hybrid power module, which brings together an internal combustion engine and three electric motors. The prototype VoltAero hybrid power module continues its validation on a ground-based rig, preparing for a subsequent integration on the Cassio 1 testbed aircraft.
