VoltAero: Paris Airshow World Debut for its Cassio 330 Electric-Hybrid Aircraft
VoltAero unveiled at the Paris Airshow this week, the first Cassio 330 electric-hybrid aircraft, marking a major step toward aviation’s goal of decarbonisation and sustainable mobility, by bringing together “a clean-sheet airframe design with a proprietary hybrid propulsion system,” reports a press release.
This No.1 Cassio 330 prototype was introduced during a press conference on VoltAero’s exhibit stand at the Airshow (Static display area, Exhibit Zone B4).
Jean Botti, VoltAero’s CEO and Chief Technical Officer, commented, ”Today VoltAero delivers on its promise to take an all-new approach for quiet, efficient and eco-friendly transportation that is based on a hybrid design combining thermal and electric propulsion for maximum flight safety.”
The prototype is targeted to fly its maiden flight later this year. “This aircraft will be used to validate the overall airframe configuration and aerodynamics of VoltAero’s all-new design for Cassio,” explains the release, “and will be powered by a four-cylinder Kawasaki Motors thermal engine derived from the Japanese company’s proven motorcycle engine products.”
Jean Botti
This will be followed by the No.2 Cassio 330’s maiden flight in the second quarter of 2024. The release continues, “The aircraft will be used for the airworthiness certification program, and is to be equipped with VoltAero’s full-up hybrid propulsion unit — composed of the four-cylinder Kawasaki Motors thermal engine (with a peak power rating of 165 kW) and a Safran ENGINeUSTM smart electric motor (with a peak power rating of 180 kW).”
VoltAero has chosen AKIRA Technologies for the integration and validation of Cassio’s hybrid propulsion unit. This French company, specialising in the design and production of energy conversion systems and test benches, will develop “the Cassio hybrid propulsion unit’s gearbox, along with the unit’s mechanical integration and ground testing, as well as test/adaptation of the Kawasaki thermal engine and Safran electric motor.”
The No.2 prototype also will have the full-definition avionics suite from Avidyne, integrating a glass cockpit with new-generation Quantum 14” displays for single pilot operation, specifically designed for the new flight environment. The U.S‑based company will tailor the avionics for the power management of Cassio’s hybrid propulsion unit.
The Cassio 330 is to have a four/five-seat interior configuration, followed later by the six-seat Cassio 480 with a combined electric-hybrid propulsion power of 480 kilowatts utilising Kawasaki Motors’ six-cylinder thermal engine, and then the Cassio 600 which is to be sized at a 10/12-seat capacity with electric-hybrid propulsion power of 600 kilowatts.
For more information
(Top image: The No.1 Cassio 330 prototype is shown on VoltAero’s Paris Air Show exhibit stand at Le Bourget Airport — Credit: VoltAero)
