VoltAero unveils Cassio 330 at Paris Air Show

French aviation startup VoltAero on Sunday unveiled the first Cassio 330 electric-hybrid aircraft

A day before Paris Air Show 2023 officially opens its doors to business visitors, French aviation startup VoltAero on Sunday unveiled the first Cassio 330 electric-hybrid aircraft, marking a major step toward aviation’s goal of decarbonisation and sustainable mobility by introducing the first member in an airplane family that brings together a clean-sheet airframe design with a proprietary hybrid propulsion system.

The no. 1 Cassio 330 prototype is on display at the air show and will participate in flight displays during the week-long air show that is not only the world’s oldest, but also its largest airshow. It was

introduced during a press conference with international journalists on VoltAero’s exhibit stand at the Paris Air Show.

VoltAero delivers hybrid-electric aircraft, promising quiet, efficient, and eco-friendly transportation says Jean Botti

“Today marks a true milestone for electric aviation, as 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. I want to thank my VoltAero team for its dedication and tireless work in reaching this historic moment, as well as express my appreciation to our suppliers and partners for their commitment to Cassio,” said Jean Botti, VoltAero’s CEO and Chief Technical Officer.

Botti added that the prototype is targetted to perform its maiden flight in late 2023. “This aircraft will be used to validate the overall airframe configuration and aerodynamics of VoltAero’s all-new design for Cassio, and will be powered by a four-cylinder Kawasaki Motors thermal engine derived from the Japanese company’s proven motorcycle engine products,” Botti told the press.

It will be followed by the no. 2 Cassio 330’s maiden flight in the second quarter of 2024. This 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 smart electric motor with a peak power rating of 180 kW.

VoltAero has selected Akira Technologies for the integration and validation of Cassio’s hybrid propulsion unit. This French company, which is specialises in the design and production of energy conversion systems and test benches, has been given the responsibility by VoltAero for design and development of 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.

Botti said that the second prototype of Cassio 330 will have the full-definition avionics suite from Avidyne, integrating a glass cockpit with new-generation Quantum 14-inch displays for single pilot operation, and which is specifically designed for the connected aircraft environment. Based on its agreement with VoltAero, the US-based Avidyne will perform exclusive development in tailoring the avionics for the power management of Cassio’s hybrid propulsion unit.

The Cassio 330 will have a four/five-seat interior configuration, followed by the six-seat Cassio 480 with a combined electric-hybrid propulsion power of 480 kilowatts, and the Cassio 600 – which is to be sized at a 10/12-seat capacity with electric-hybrid propulsion power of 600 kilowatts. The Cassio 480 will utilise Kawasaki Motors’ six-cylinder thermal engine, Botti told the media.

Cassio will fly with sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen

VoltAero also is pursuing the application of sustainable fuels for Cassio’s hybrid propulsion unit, including biofuel and hydrogen. Currently, VoltAero’s Cassio S testbed aircraft is performing flight validations of VoltAero’s hybrid power unit with biofuel. And as part of its Paris Air Show exhibit, VoltAero is displaying a Kawasaki Motors thermal engine that operates with liquid hydrogen, which will be used on Cassio 330 aircraft in the future.

The Cassio family will be a highly capable and reliable product line for regional commercial operators, air taxi/charter companies, private owners, as well as in utility-category service for cargo, postal delivery and medical evacuation (Medevac) applications.

By integrating VoltAero’s patented electric-hybrid propulsion system into the purpose-designed airframe, Cassio will deliver an order of magnitude higher performance as compared to the current competition, and provide significantly lower operational costs.

Botti said that the VoltAero propulsion concept is unique. The Cassio aircraft will utilise an electric motor in the aft fuselage-mounted hybrid propulsion unit for all-electric power during taxi, takeoff, primary flight, if the distance travelled is less than 150 km, and landing. The hybrid feature, with an internal combustion engine, comes into play as a range extender, recharging the batteries while in flight. Additionally, this hybrid element serves as a backup in the event of a problem with the electric propulsion, ensuring true fail-safe functionality.

Botti said that VoltAero will assemble the Cassio aircraft in a purpose-built facility at the Rochefort Charente-Maritime Airport in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.