VoltAero has inaugurated the final assembly facility for its Cassio family of hybrid-electric aircraft. The site at Rochefort Airport in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of western France also incorporates the start-up’s headquarters.
During an event on November 8, the company said that the 25,839-sq-ft facility will have capacity to produce 150 Cassio aircraft each year. VoltAero also intends to establish local manufacturing sites to serve local markets in other regions of the world.
The Cassio family includes three models—the 330, 480, and 600—that would seat between five and 12 passengers. VoltAero is aiming to start flight testing a full-scale technology demonstrator for the Cassio 330 in 2025 as it works towards EASA type certification in 2026.
The Cassio’s powertrain consists of 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 or 82 nm while operating in all-electric mode.
“We are addressing the highly important market requirement to connect thousands of communities and regions around the world with truly sustainable and efficient advanced regional air mobility, while remaining fully compatible with the airport and air traffic control infrastructure,” said VoltAero’s CEO and chief technology officer, Jean Botti. “Additionally, our patented electric-hybrid propulsion system for Cassio provides the dual-source power to fly safely, and is based on electric battery technology that is available today.”
The new facility has direct access to Rochefort Airport’s 7,478-ft runway. Using a mix of wood and concrete, and incorporating features such as photovoltaic solar panels and rainwater harvesting, the building meets the latest French RT2005 requirements for energy efficiency. The site has space for VoltAero’s partners and suppliers to establish their own facilities.