VoltAero has posted progress in developing its new family of Cassio e-aircraft with initiation of flight testing using Safran Electrical & Power’s ENGINeUS smart electric motors.

In-flight photo shows the hybrid-electric powertrain on the testbed aircraft. Source: VoltAeroThis testing underway at VoltAero’s headquarters facility at the Royan-Médis Aérodrome in France is intended to validate the electric and hybrid-electric powertrains for Cassio aircraft. The testbed aircraft incorporates two ENGINeUS 45 electric motors installed in forward-facing positions on the wings

The distributed hybrid-electric power system combines electric motors and an internal combustion engine into a push-pull propulsion configuration that delivers a total power output of 440 kW. The forward-facing motors are augmented with a 170 kW internal combustion engine that drives a multi-blade propeller during cruise flight. This engine also is used to charge the on-board batteries for the aircraft’s electric motors. An additional 150 kW electric motor completes the aft-fuselage power module, which provides an immediate auto-start capability with its electric motor to drive the propeller if the forward-facing motors encounter a problem during critical moments of flight, particularly the takeoff.

Final designs of the Cassio e-aircraft will include seating from four to nine persons for use by private owners, air taxi/charter companies, commercial flights for point-to-point regional travel, and in various utility-category applications.

Production aircraft with flight durations of at least 3.5 hours will be delivered during the 2021-2022 timeframe.