Kiwi Carrier to Evaluate Cassio Platform

VoltAero, the French aerospace concern about the business of developing the Cassio family of hybrid-electric aircraft, has been named one of Air New Zealand’s Mission Next Gen Aircraft demonstration partners. The instance speaks to Air New Zealand’s interest in VoltAero’s Cassio platform as a possible solution to its sustainable fleet ambitions.

VoltAero and Cassio—in ethos and praxis—align with the Kiwi air-carrier’s goal of collaborating with aerospace innovators for purpose of hastening the advent of zero-emission passenger/cargo flights.

The Cassio aircraft family’s hybrid-electric powertrain architecture affords excellent safety while allowing operators to utilize runways as short as 1,800-feet—thereby granting Air New Zealand access to local and regional airport network infrastructure. Additionally, Cassio’s hybrid technology reduces cost-of-ownership by abrogating the need for the heavy, range-reducing, high-cost-per-kilowatt-hour battery packs characteristic of purely electric powertrains.  

VoltAero CEO and Chief Technical Officer Jean Botti states: “Our selection by Air New Zealand is an important confirmation of VoltAero’s pragmatic and realistic approach to developing the Cassio aircraft family. Instead of promises, we can respond today to Air New Zealand’s requirement for the demonstration of next-generation sustainable aircraft.”

Since 2019, VoltAero’s proprietary electric-hybrid propulsion system has covered more than ten-thousand-kilometers of typical regional airline routes and over-water segments—all the while operating at its full 600-kilowatt power-output aboard the company’s Cassio 1 testbed airplane.

Cassio’s hybrid propulsion scheme comprises a 241-horsepower, aft, fuselage-mounted electric drivetrain powering a single, two-meter (diameter) centerline-thrust pusher-propeller. The electric system provides power during taxi, takeoff, primary flight, and landing. The hybrid feature—which consists of a 221-horsepower internal combustion engine—recharges the aircraft’s batteries while in-flight and serves as a backup in the event of electrical malfunction.  

VoltAero plans to build three iterations of its Cassio platform with occupant configurations ranging from five to a dozen seats. The aircraft, in addition to sharing high degrees of modularity and commonality, will provide regional airlines, air taxi and cargo operators, and private owners a capable and reliable product line from which to fashion their respective fleets.

VoltAero’s five-seat, 443-horsepower Cassio 330 is currently being evaluated for certification under Europe’s EASA CS23 specification. The type’s entry into service is slated for late 2024—well ahead of Air New Zealand’s objective of purchasing new-generation sustainable aircraft for 2026 deliveries.

FMI: www.voltaero.aero