VoltAero has revealed the production configuration for its Cassio aircraft, which it says will revolutionise general aviation with a highly efficient, safe and optimised family of aircraft powered by the company's hybrid-electric power module.

Cassio uses VoltAero's hybrid electric power module in an aft fuselage "pusher" configuration, integrating a cluster of electric motors with a high-performance internal combustion engine that serves as the range extender. The powertrain currently is being validated on VoltAero's Cassio 1 flight test aircraft, ensuring a high level of maturity for certification and production.

"The Cassio production design's unveiling represents the latest step in our realistic and highly pragmatic creation of an all-new aircraft family," says Jean Botti, VoltAero's CEO and Chief Technical Officer. "It benefits from our team's unmatched experience in hybrid-electric aviation, as well as the ongoing full-scale flight testing that removes the risk as we move toward the production phase."

VoltAero's proprietary Cassio design is based on an aerodynamically-optimised fuselage, a forward fixed canard, and an aft-set wing with twin booms that support a high-set horizontal tail.

Cassio will be offered in three versions, each sharing a high degree of modularity and commonality:

- Cassio 330, a four-seat configuration with propulsion from a combined hybrid-electric power of 330 kilowatts;

- Cassio 480, configured with six seats and a hybrid-electric propulsion power of 480 kilowatts;

- Cassio 600, with a 10-seat capacity and hybrid-electric propulsion power of 600 kilowatts.

Cassio aircraft will be produced at a purpose-built final assembly line in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region of southwest France, with VoltAero leading an assembled team of partners and suppliers. Licensed production opportunities will be pursued in North America and Asia.

Initial deliveries are targeted for the end of 2022, beginning with the four-seat Cassio 330 version.

The Cassio family of aircraft is tailored for operation by private owners, air taxi/charter companies, in commercial flights for point-to-point regional travel, and in various utility-category applications. Cassio will be certified to Europe's EASA CS23 certification specification as a single-engine, general aviation category aircraft.

It is expected to have a flight time of up to 3.5 hours (with extension possible to five hours), a range of 800 miles, cruise speed of 200 knots, take-off/landing distance of less than 1,800 feet, maximum takeoff weight under 2.5 metric tons (for EASA CS23 certification) and availability of up to 10 hours per day (equivalent to approximately eight rotations daily).