VoltAero’s Cassio Demo Flights To Promote Sustainable Aviation In Netherlands

Mid-June 2022, VoltAero will be conducting some demonstration flights using the Cassio 1, in the Netherlands to promote sustainable regional aviation.

Cassio 1 is billed as the worlds first parallel hybrid electric aircraft, that uses electric motors and an internal combustion engine for propulsion. These demonstration flights will be part of Netherlands ‘Power Up’ initiative, which seeks to position the Netherlands for the introduction of electrically powered commercial aircraft. Mr. John Botti, CEO and CTO of VoltAero stated that “Our cooperation is an excellent opportunity to show how Cassio can significantly lower carbon emissions and reduce noise by using VoltAero’s proven electric-hybrid propulsion system”.

During this exercise, information gathering will include analysis of operational costs, noise performance, ground infrastructure requirements and technical support for the future use of the Cassio family aircraft by commercial aviation operators.

The Netherlands chose VoltAero because of its demonstrated expertise and successful long-distance tour in Europe in Early 2022, when Cassio 1 covered 3000km over six days while visiting 13 cities, amounting to a cumulative 120 flights and 100+ hours of usage. VoltAero is now the first company to do a demonstration flight within the ‘Power Up’ framework.

The ’Power Up’ initiative involves four main regional airports in the Netherlands: 1) Eindhoven, 2) Rotterdam, Groningen Elde, and 4) Maastricht Aachen with the support of the Schiphol Group and other partners. The main objective is facilitating and stimulating the introduction of electric Regional Air Mobility (eRAM) in the Netherlands. It is an open-source initiative in which aircraft manufacturers (OEMs), airlines and airports are expected to work together to develop a new, sustainable and efficient mobility product improving the connectivity of regions.

FMI: https://voltaero.aero/en