EASA Approval Advances New Layout for French Sportplane Builder

Elixir Aircraft has obtained EASA Certification for its Elixir plane sporting a Full Glass Cockpit layout.

The new panel sports dual Garmin G3X touchscreens, a GTN750xi and Garmin's GNC355a Comms and Nav backup unit.

World Wide head of sales Mike Tonkin explains: “With this new flight deck configuration now certified, the Elixir corresponds perfectly for the global flight training market. As we know the aging Single Engine Piston (average aircraft age 48 years old) fleet needs replacing globally, at Elixir Aircraft we feel we have the perfect EASA CS Part 23 certified Aircraft to meet the current market requirements. The Elixir is modern, safe, versatile and extremely cost effective with an average hourly operating cost of around 50€ per hour for any ATO/FTO flying around 500 hours per year per aircraft.”

The timing is fine for Elixir, who recently inked a deal to provide the aircraft to Airbus Flight Academy Europe. The purchase will place 4 of the new-production French aircraft into student hands, and hopefully, eventual buyers' minds. Elixir has been putting out some pretty lofty goals in recent years, expanding staff and planning to pump out more than 300 aircraft per year once they hit full capacity. Whether or not they can do it remains up in the air, but their offering seems fairly competitive in the Euro market: Known engines, known panels, and an attractively designed, tractable aircraft.

FMI: www.elixir-aircraft.com