Elixir Aircraft secured an order from the École Nationale de l'Aviation Civile (ENAC), France’s national civil aviation school, for 30 two-seat trainers on Sunday at the Paris Air Show. The order, part of ENAC’s fleet renewal initiative, will see deliveries between 2026 and 2027 and marks a key milestone for Elixir’s expansion in institutional aviation markets.
Founded in 2015, Elixir Aircraft produces the 100-hp Elixir, a fourth-generation aircraft certified in 2020. Built using a OneShot carbon composite structure, the aircraft consists of nine primary parts, eliminating the need for rivets or glue. This streamlined design increases safety, simplifies maintenance, and reduces fuel consumption. Combined with an ultra-efficient engine, the Elixir offers up to 70% fewer CO2 emissions compared to conventional trainers.
Co-founder Cyril Champenois told AIN that the company’s journey began when he and his friends took a design they initially used for boat racing and applied it to aviation. “They needed those to do races around the world at 30 knots without breaking anything,” he said. “Now we are working in aviation trying to make sure that we are not breaking anything.”
The contract aligns with ENAC’s strategy to modernize its 97-aircraft fleet. With campuses across France, the school trains more than 2,000 students annually, including future airline pilots, air traffic controllers, and aerospace engineers. The Elixir’s glass cockpit provides a modern avionics suite.
With 35 aircraft currently in service and 300 on order, Elixir Aircraft has seen its trainer adopted by Airbus Flight Academy and flight schools across Europe. The ENAC order marks its first major public sector contract and offers industrial validation for the young manufacturer.
Champenois said they are hoping for expansion into North America this year once FAA certification is secured. “We already have facilities in Florida in Sarasota, where we will reassemble the aircraft shipped from France and expand that business.”