VoltAero reports its has inaugurated the final assembly facility and headquarters at Rochefort Airport, marking “a major new step toward certification and production of the company’s Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft family, ushering in a new era of sustainable regional air transportation.”
Located at Saint Agnant in the Charente-Maritime department of France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, this purpose-built 2,400-square-meter facility is the primary hub for production and delivery of Cassio-family aircraft, supported by VoltAero’s on-site design, engineering , flight test and administrative departments, said the company in a press release. “It is sized for the assembly of 150 Cassio airplanes annually at full rate, to be backed by additional production sites that are to be created in other key geographical markets.
According to Jean Botti, the company’s CEO & Chief Technology Officer: “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,” he said. “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 facility has direct access to Rochefort Airport’s 2,280-meter-long X 45-meter-wide runway, as well as the availability of the region’s road, rail and sea transport links. Its master plan includes the potential for future growth, as well as enabling suppliers and service providers to develop their own presence as they support the Cassio production.
The Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft family consists of three versions that seat from five to 12 persons, and which are tailored for regional commercial operators, air taxi/charter companies, private and business owners/operators, as well as in utility-category service for cargo, postal delivery and medical evacuation (Medevac) applications.
VoltAero’s first production aircraft version will be the Cassio 330, with a four/five-seat interior configuration and operating on a combined electric-hybrid propulsion power of 330 kilowatts. It is to be followed by the six-seat Cassio 480 with a combined electric-hybrid propulsion power of 480 kilowatts, and the Cassio 600 – sized at a 10/12-seat capacity with electric-hybrid propulsion power of 600 kilowatts.
The Cassio aircraft will utilize Safran ENGINeUS electric motors for all-electric power during taxi, takeoff, primary flight (if the distance traveled is less than 150 km.), and landing. “The hybrid feature – with the internal combustion engine from Kawaskai Motors – comes into play as a range extender, recharging the batteries while in flight,” said the company.
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Watch the video for highlights from the inauguration ceremony >>>