Press Release
Issued by VoltAero.
December 3, 2021
VoltAero CEO and chief technology officer Jean Botti has been named “Engineer of the Year” by the prestigious French industry-focused magazine, L'Usine Nouvelle, recognising his pioneering efforts to develop and introduce an electric-hybrid aircraft capable of offering low-carbon regional flights.
In designating Botti for the award, L'Usine Nouvelle called him “one of the founding fathers of electric aviation” in France and predicted that he will be a leader in making the technology an industrial reality with VoltAero's Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft.
“I accept this recognition on behalf of the entire VoltAero team, which is making significant strides toward the certification and production milestones for our family of Cassio airplanes,” Botti said after receiving the L'Usine Nouvelle award in Paris this week.
Botti graduated from the National Institute of Applied Sciences (INSA) in Toulouse, France, in 1986, with a degree in mechanical engineering. He pursued further studies in the U.S., where he earned an MBA from Central Michigan University and a degree in Research and Development Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), both in 1991.
In addition, he was awarded a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the National Conservatory of Arts and Trades (CNAM) in Paris during 1995, in collaboration with the University of Michigan.
During his professional career, Botti held key roles at Renault, General Motors, Delphi Corporation and then Airbus where he spearheaded development of the group's E-Fan all-electric aircraft as chief technology officer before co-founding VoltAero in 2017.
L'Usine Nouvelle's selection of Botti puts an exclamation on mark on VoltAero's activities in 2021, which were headlined by the company's week-long, cross-country tour of France using its Cassio 1 demonstrator aircraft. With 21 takeoffs and 21 landings in a range of weather conditions, the campaign included visits to airports that would benefit from the type of service provided by Cassio 2 production airplanes.
Equipped with VoltAero's proprietary propulsion module, which combines electric motors and an internal combustion engine, Cassio 2 aircraft will have propulsive power ranging from 330 to 600 kilowatts, corresponding to the aircraft's versions with four, six and 10-seats.
Cassio 2 airplanes will be produced at a purpose-built final assembly line at Rochefort Charente-Maritime Airport, with VoltAero leading a world-class team of partners and suppliers. Initial deliveries are planned for 2023.
