VoltAero has taken the 54th Paris Airshow as the opportunity to unveil its first Cassio 330 electric-hybrid aircraft.
The four-seat Cassio 330 will be the first Cassio version to enter production.
The no. 1 Cassio 330 prototype was revealed to international journalists in Paris during a press conference on Sunday, June 18, 2023.
“Today marks a true milestone for electric aviation, as VoltAero delivers on its promise to take an all-new approach for quiet, efficient and eco-friendly transportation that is based on a hybrid design combining thermal and electric propulsion for maximum flight safety,” said Jean Botti, VoltAero’s CEO and Chief Technical Officer. “I want to thank my VoltAero team for its dedication and tireless work in reaching this historic moment, as well as express my appreciation to our suppliers and partners for their commitment to Cassio.”
VoltAero hopes to take the Cassio 330 prototype on its maiden flight in late 2023.
The aircraft will be used to validate the overall airframe configuration and aerodynamics of VoltAero’s all-new design for Cassio and will be powered by a four-cylinder Kawasaki Motors thermal engine, derived from the Japanese company’s proven motorcycle engine products.
It will be followed by the no. 2 Cassio 330’s maiden flight during the second quarter of 2024.
This aircraft will be used for the airworthiness certification program and is to be equipped with VoltAero’s full-up hybrid propulsion unit – composed of the four-cylinder Kawasaki Motors thermal engine and a Safran ENGINeUSTM smart electric motor.
The no. 2 Cassio 330 prototype will also have the full-definition avionics suite from Avidyne, integrating a glass cockpit with new-generation Quantum 14-inch displays for single pilot operation, and which is specifically designed for the connected aircraft environment.
The Cassio 330 will have a four/five-seat interior configuration, followed by the six-seat Cassio 480 with a combined electric-hybrid propulsion power of 480 kilowatts. Also on its way is the Cassio 600, which is to be sized at a 10/12-seat capacity, with electric-hybrid propulsion power of 600 kilowatts.
AeroTime will be present at the event, and you can reach out to our Deputy Editors Miquel Ros and Clement Charpentreau to share your story or set up a meeting by emailing us at editor@aerotime.aero.
