VoltAero has taken a step towards production of its Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft family with the announcement that construction work has begun on the final assembly line at its facility in Rochefort Airport in France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
This site, measuring 2,400-square-metres, will serve as the build and delivery centre for the Cassio general aviation and regional aircraft.
Construction is now underway, with the facility’s completion targeted for August 2024. It will incorporate the final assembly line, a workshop, logistics area and the design/engineering offices.
At full rate, VoltAero anticipates producing approximately 150 Cassio family aircraft per year.
VoltAero’s first production aircraft version will be the Cassio 330, with a four or 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 to 12-seat capacity with electric-hybrid propulsion power of 600 kilowatts.
The master plan incorporates the potential for VoltAero’s future growth of up to 7,400 square metres at Rochefort Airport.
VoltAero ‘delivering efficient and eco-friendly flight’
“With today’s groundbreaking milestone for our final assembly facility, VoltAero is once again delivering on its promise of bringing a clean-sheet design aeroplane to market for safe, quiet, efficient and eco-friendly flight using electric-hybrid propulsion,” said Jean Botti, VoltAero’s CEO and chief technology officer.
Alain Rousset, president of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, added: “The production of Cassio aircraft at Rochefort Airport ensures that our region will be at the forefront of the aeronautics sector’s decarbonisation.
“Nouvelle-Aquitaine was one of the first partners for Jean Botti and his teams as they began developing their hybrid-electric aircraft concept, and we look forward to seeing Cassio airplanes as they are delivered from the final assembly line.”
Advantages of the industrial site for VoltAero include its direct access to Rochefort Airport’s existing 2,280-metre-long runway, as well as the availability of the region’s road, rail and sea transportation links.Subscribe to the FINN weekly newsletter
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