News

2020-06-14

VoltAero Takes Electric Aircraft to a New Level

VoltAero recently revealed the production configuration for its Cassio aircraft, which is part of a safe and optimised family of airplanes powered by the company’s hybrid-electric power module.

Cassio utilises 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 is currently is being validated on VoltAero’s Cassio 1 flight test aircraft, ensuring a high level of maturity for certification and production.

Cassio 1’s original forward-fuselage-mounted internal combustion engine has been removed, replaced by a “smooth” nose.

The testbed aircraft is utilised by VoltAero along with a ground-based “Iron Bird” integration platform in developing and validating the hybrid-electric powertrain for its Cassio 2 production airplanes.

The current flight evaluations make use of VoltAero’s Cassio 1 testbed aircraft, with the two ENGINeUS 45 electric motors installed in forward-facing positions on the wings. Cassio 1 is piloted by Technical Director Didier Esteyne, operating from VoltAero’s headquarters facility at the Royan-Médis Aérodrome in France.

“Flying on the power of Safran’s ENGINeUS motors is truly remarkable, with no vibration and extremely low noise levels,” Esteyne explained. “It confirms that our Cassio aircraft will bring an entirely new experience to aviation.”

In its full-up nine-seat version, the Cassio aircraft will use electric motors along with VoltAero’s proprietary aft-facing hybrid power module, which brings together an internal combustion engine and three electric motors. The prototype VoltAero hybrid power module continues its validation on a ground-based rig, preparing for a subsequent integration on the Cassio 1 testbed aircraft.

“Safran is proud to be powering the Cassio 1 aircraft as VoltAero brings a new dimension to electric aviation,” said Hervé Blanc, Executive Vice President & General Manager of the Electrical Systems and Motors Division at Safran Electrical & Power. “We are fully committed to supporting VoltAero throughout the flight test phase and look forward to the company’s future production of Cassio aircraft.”

“The Cassio production design’s unveiling represents the latest step in our realistic and highly pragmatic creation of an all-new aircraft family,” said 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. These include 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; and Cassio 600, with a 10-seat capacity and hybrid-electric propulsion power of 600 kilowatts.

Propulsion Power

Equipped with VoltAero’s proprietary propulsion module – which combines electric motors and an internal combustion engine – Cassio aircraft will have propulsive power ranging from 330 to 600 kilowatts, corresponding to the aircraft’s versions with four, six and 10-seats.

In its application on the mid-sized Cassio version – which has six seats – the hybrid power module combines 300-kW of internal combustion engine power with three electric motors of 60 kW each, delivering a total power of 480 kW. These multiple sources of energy ensure safe modes of operation by utilising one source of power (electrical or mechanical) – or both – depending on the usage scenario. In a typical flight, the electrical motors would be used for nearly silent takeoffs and landings, with the internal combustion engine serving as a range extender.

The propulsion can be full electric to full rechargeable hybrid, depending on the flight profile and mission requirement. Moreover, the dual source of power provides unmatched safety and it has 4 dBa lower noise than comparable aircraft during operations, and no noise during ground taxi (with an electrically driven nose wheel). Also, it has 20 per cent lower emissions than comparable aircraft in the full hybrid mode and 100 per cent in full electric.

Cassio aircraft will be produced at a purpose-built final assembly line in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region of southwest France, with VoltAero leading a team of partners and suppliers. Initial deliveries are targeted for the end of 2022, beginning with the four-seat Cassio 330 version.

Reference Text/Photo:
www.voltaero.aero

Comments () Views (11718 ) Print

Send To Friend