The historic flight was conducted from VoltAero’s Royan, France, research and development centre. It used both the hybrid powertrain’s electric mode and its internal combustion engine, which was fueled by TotalEnergies’ Excellium Racing 100, a bioethanol made from waste that comes from French vineyards.

By validating its electric-hybrid powertrain and the use of sustainable fuels, VoltAero’s Cassio S testbed aircraft was used for this significant demonstration, reducing the risk of airworthiness certification for upcoming production versions of the Cassio aircraft family.

The VoltAero propulsion concept is unique: Cassio aircraft will utilize an electric motor in the aft fuselage-mounted hybrid propulsion unit for all-electric power during taxi, takeoff, primary flight (if the distance traveled is less than 150 km.), and landing. The hybrid feature – with an internal combustion engine – comes into play as a range extender, recharging the batteries while in flight. Additionally, this hybrid element serves as a backup in the event of a problem with the electric propulsion, ensuring true fail-safe functionality.

The Cassio 330, with a four- or five-seat interior and 330 kilowatts of combined electric-hybrid motor, will be VoltAero’s first production aircraft. The six-seat Cassio 480 and the 10- or 12-seat Cassio 600, both of which have electric-hybrid propulsion systems with 480 and 600 kilowatts of combined power, will come after it.

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