New era in electric aviation: VoltAero production-version Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft

VoltAero today revealed the production configuration for its Cassio aircraft, which will revolutionize general aviation with a highly efficient, safe and optimized family of airplanes powered by the company’s hybrid-electric power module. Cassio utilizes VoltAero’s hybrid-electric power module in an aft fuselage “pusher” configuration, integrating a cluster of electric motors with a high-performance internal combustion engine that serves as the range extender. The powertrain currently is being validated on VoltAero’s Cassio 1 flight test aircraft, ensuring a high level of maturity for certification and production.

“The Cassio production design’s unveiling represents the latest step in our realistic and highly pragmatic creation of an all-new aircraft family,” said Jean Botti, VoltAero’s CEO and Chief Technical Officer. “It benefits from our team’s unmatched experience in hybrid-electric aviation, as well as the ongoing full-scale flight testing that removes the risk as we move toward the production phase.” 

VoltAero’s proprietary Cassio design is based on a sleek, aerodynamically-optimized fuselage, a forward fixed canard, and an aft-set wing with twin booms that support a high-set horizontal tail. 

Cassio will be offered in three versions, each sharing a high degree of modularity and commonality: 

• Cassio 330, a four-seat configuration with propulsion from a combined hybrid-electric power of 330 kilowatts;
• Cassio 480, configured with six seats and a hybrid-electric propulsion power of 480 kilowatts;
• Cassio 600, with a 10-seat capacity and hybrid-electric propulsion power of 600 kilowatts.

Cassio aircraft will be produced at a purpose-built final assembly line in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region of southwest France, with VoltAero leading a world-class team of partners and suppliers. Licensed production opportunities will be pursued in North America and Asia.

Initial deliveries are targeted for the end of 2022, beginning with the four-seat Cassio 330 version.

The Cassio family of airplanes is 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. Cassio will be certified to Europe’s EASA CS23 certification specification as a single-engine, general aviation category aircraft.

Performance

• Autonomy: 3.5 hours (extension possible to 5 hours)
• Range: 800 miles
• Cruise speed: 200 knots
• Take-off/landing distance: less than 1,800 feet
• Maximum takeoff weight: Under 2.5 metric tons (EASA CS23 certification)
• Availability: 10 hours/day (equivalent to approximately eight rotations daily)