VoltAero receives E-Flight award at AERO Friedrichshafen

French hybrid-electric aviation startup, VoltAero has received the E-Flight award at the AERO general aviation show in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

The award comes in recognition of VoltAero’s constant progress in defining and developing its Cassio family of hybrid aircraft. The New Aquitaine-based company’s vision is to respect the environment without waiting or betting on the arrival of new technology. 

While projects are multiplying in the field with for example Heart Aerospace, Scylax or Aura Aéro and Daher, VoltAero CEO Jean Botti, a former technical director of Airbus, said he does not believe in “paper airplanes” or “promises that only bind those who believe in them.” Thus, VoltAero’s aircraft will be able to integrate new technological developments, especially in terms of battery autonomy, when these are available.The environmental revolution in the aviation sector will be based more on progressive evolution, than on the sudden break with thermal propulsion, said Botti.

“We are continuing a story that my team and I have believed in for many years, and which started in 2011 with our first electric aircraft concept,” he said. “Today, we are continuing our step-by-step approach, based on evolution, and we are on the right path to certification and entry into service of the Cassio.”

CEO Jean Botti pictured at AERO 2023 last week. (credit: VoltAero)

The design of the Cassio is based on an aerodynamically optimised fuselage, a fixed duck at the front, and a rear wing with double-booms supporting a horizontal tail in an elevated position. A design inspired by work of the American Burt Rutan, who managed to go around the world without stopovers in 1986 with his Voyager, thanks to revolutionary aerodynamics. A story that prompted a young Botti to become an aeronautical engineer. 

The Cassio will be offered in three versions, each sharing a high degree of modularity and community. The Cassio 330, equipped with five seats and a combined electric-hybrid propulsion power of 330 kilowatts. The Cassio 480, with six seats and 480 kilowatts of power. And finally the Cassio 600, equipped with 12 seats and a power of 600 kilowatts. The autonomy of the devices in the Cassio range is extendable to 5 hours, a range of 1300km and a cruising speed of 370 km/h.