VoltAero unveiled a mockup of the first member of its planned family of Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft on Tuesday morning at the EBACE business aviation show. The company also flew its technology demonstrator aircraft to the event in Geneva from its headquarters in western France, running the propulsion system on biofuels made from wine.
Jean Botti, the former Airbus executive who is now VoltAero’s CEO and chief technology officer, said his team expects to start flight testing the first Cassio prototype later this year. The mockup being displayed this week represents the entry-level Cassio 330 that will carry four passengers. The company is also working on the larger Cassio 480 and 600 models that will carry six and 12 passengers, respectively.
VoltAero’s now-patented powertrain design is based on a pair of Safran’s EngineUs electric motors, a turbogenerator, and an aft-mounted pusher propeller. The hybrid-electric range is expected to be up to around 695 nm and just 82 nm while operating in all-electric mode.
Fractional ownership group Sky2Share has agreed to step up the partnership agreement it announced with VoltAero last May. The Swiss company has placed pre-orders for 15 Cassio 330s.
Sky2Share CEO Selim Franko said his company will likely act as a distributor for Cassio aircraft, offering shares to private owners and operating under Part 91 rules rather than with an air operator certificate. It also has plans to provide maintenance services for other Cassio operators, as well as flight training.
According to Sky2Share chief commercial officer Philippe Vignon, its business model is based on a commitment to ensure that all carbon dioxide emissions from its flights will be fully offset. It is now raising funding to add some Pilatus PC-12 turboprop singles to its fleet as it waits for Cassio to complete EASA CS-23 type certification.
VoltAero claims it holds sales agreements covering more than 220 Cassio aircraft. It is also working with Kawasaki on longer-term plans for a hydrogen-electric version.