French Airframer’s One-Shot at Oshkosh

Elixir Aircraft—the French aerospace concern that asserts complexity is the reason current aircraft suffer from failures and are expensive to operate—has announced it intends to broaden its presence in the North American market. 

To promote awareness and sales of its Part 23 certified 912-iS and 915-iS aircraft, the company plans to invest in a dedicated U.S. sales and marketing team. Further, more substantial investment is being considered in a U.S. assembly facility and demonstration site—with an eye toward eventual U.S. production of the company’s aircraft. 

Elixir CEO and Co-founder Arthur Leopold Leger estimates his company’s ambitions will create more than one-hundred U.S.-based jobs. Economics majors will note U.S.-based jobs in no way ensure the employment of U.S. citizens. 

Unlike traditional aluminum and composite aircraft, Elixir’s aircraft are constructed with neither rivets, nor screws, nor glue. This unorthodox distinction is attributable to a building concept and technique called One-Shot, which has been utilized in the construction of sailing-vessels for more than 15-years. 

The One-Shot technique consists of designing and manufacturing complex elements (such as a wing) without complex structural assemblies. The wings of Elixir aircraft are without ribs or spars—ergo, the absence of rivets, screws, and glue. Elixir is the first company to design an entire wing [full span] entirely in OneShot. In addition to their unique wings, Elixir aircraft feature One-Shot fuselages, canopy arches, and control-surfaces.

Elixir’s advance into the North American aircraft market will begin with an enfilade operation at EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh 2022, where the company will have 2 Aircraft on display. After the French tradition of graciousness, Elixir states its representatives “ … will be happy to meet and discuss the aircraft and its uniquely innovative design, multiple safety features, and incredibly low operating costs.” Showgoers will find the Elixir team on stand 352.

FMI: www.elixir-aircraft.com/en/