VoltAero's Cassio 1 testbed, with the company's proprietary electric-parallel hybrid propulsion unit, will exceed a total distance flown of 10,000 kilometres following the aircraft's participation in Germany's Aero Friedrichshafen general aviation show.

Cassio 1, which is equipped with the 600 kilowatt full-power version of VoltAero's electric-parallel hybrid propulsion unit for the company's in-development family of Cassio sustainable aircraft, departed the company's Royan-Médis headquarters on France's Atlantic Coast for the 1,650 km cross-European roundtrip to Friedrichshafen in Germany.

Since VoltAero initiated flights with the propulsion unit in 2020, Cassio 1 has flown more than 8,500 km on routes within Europe and the UK, de-risking it for airworthiness certification on production Cassio aircraft.

During these extensive validations, Cassio 1 performed typical regional short and medium haul flights that are to be served by VoltAero's product line of four-12 seat Cassio aircraft. Operating in a full range of weather conditions, Cassio 1 has visited both local and regional airports that will benefit from highly sustainable air mobility.

With VoltAero's proprietary electric-hybrid powertrain installed in the aft pusher position, Cassio aircraft will utilise the propulsion system's electric motors for all-electric power during taxi, take off, primary flight 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.

The Cassio family will provide a highly capable, reliable and sustainable product line for air taxi/charter companies, private owners and commercial flights, as well as in utility-category service for cargo, postal delivery and medical evacuation applications.

Production Cassio aircraft will be built in three versions, each sharing a high degree of modularity and commonality. First to be certified is the Cassio 330, with four/five seats and powered by a 330 kilowatt electric-hybrid power module. The follow-on six seat Cassio 480 will have an electric-hybrid propulsion power of 480 kilowatts, while the Cassio 600 is sized at a 10/12 seat capacity with electric-hybrid propulsion power of 600 kilowatts.

VoltAero will be assembling the prototype Cassio 330 before the end of this year, with the production aircraft to be produced in a purpose-built final assembly facility at Rochefort airport in France's Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Groundbreaking at the industrial site is scheduled in the summer of 2022.