VoltAero is now accepting initial expressions of interest for fractional ownership share positions in its five seat Cassio 330, the first version of its aircraft family to enter production.

Equipped with a proprietary 330 kW electric-parallel hybrid-propulsion system, Cassio 330s are to be positioned at regional and local airports across Europe to meet user demand.

The fractional ownership programme will subsequently be expanded with the Cassio 480, configured with six seats and powered by a 480 kW hybrid propulsion system, and the 10-12 seat Cassio 600 with 600 kWs of hybrid power. All three versions of the aircraft share a high degree of modularity and commonality.

“Cassio will open a new era of highly sustainable air transportation in Europe with on demand flight services for those who join our fractional share ownership,” says CEO and chief technology officer Jean Botti. “It's highly appropriate that we bring this mobility solution to Europe with Cassio, a truly innovative next-generation aircraft that is developed and built in Europe."

VoltAero's proprietary electric-parallel hybrid powertrain has undergone extensive flight evaluations with the company's Cassio 1 demonstrator aircraft, covering nearly 10,000 km in operations across Europe on typical general aviation and air taxi/charter route segments, thereby de-risking it for airworthiness certification.

With this powertrain integrated 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 aspect, 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 for the electric propulsion, ensuring true fail-safe functionality.

The Cassio airframe's design is based on a sleek, aerodynamically optimised fuselage, a forward canard and an aft-set wing with twin booms that support a high-set horizontal tail. It will be qualified to Europe's EASA CS23 certification specification as a single-engine, general aviation category aircraft and is designed from the start for a low cost of ownership.

VoltAero will assemble the Cassio aircraft in a dedicated production facility at Rochefort airport in France's Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Groundbreaking is scheduled during 2022.