VoltAero’s Cassio receives French Institute of Design award

VoltAero’s design for its family of Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft has been recognized with the 2023 Janus Label of Excellence from the prestigious l’Institut Français du Design (French Institute of Design).

In awarding this Label of Excellence, the Institut Français du Design highlighted VoltAero’s airframe configuration that is based on a sleek, aerodynamically optimized fuselage, a forward fixed canard, and an aft-set wing with twin booms that support a high-set horizontal tail.

By integrating VoltAero’s patented electric-hybrid propulsion system into this purpose-designed airframe, the Cassio aircraft family offers an order of magnitude higher performance compared to the current competition and lower operational costs.

In selecting Cassio for its 2023 Janus Label of Excellence, the Institut Français du Design also recognized the work of Dassault Systèmes’ DESIGNStudio in visualizing VoltAero’s concept through immersive virtual modeling – underscoring the aircraft’s eco-responsible ambition, along with its modular, comfortable, and ergonomic use.

“The Janus Label of Excellence has become a benchmark for designs that represent sustainability through creativity,” said Jean Botti, VoltAero’s CEO and Chief Technology Officer. “Cassio’s selection reflects our goal to develop a truly unique general aviation family of aircraft with electric-hybrid propulsion as the future for safe, quiet, efficient and eco-friendly flight.”

Cassio will be produced as a highly capable and reliable product line for regional commercial operators, air taxi/charter companies, private owners, as well as in utility-category service for cargo, postal delivery, and medical evacuation (Medevac) applications.

Cassio aircraft will use an electric motor in the aft fuselage-mounted hybrid propulsion unit for all-electric power during taxi, takeoff, primary flight (if the distance traveled is less than 150km.), and landing. The hybrid feature – with an internal combustion engine – comes into play as a range extender, recharging the batteries while in flight. Additionally, this hybrid element serves as a backup in the event of a problem with the electric propulsion, ensuring fail-safe functionality.

VoltAero’s first production aircraft version will be the Cassio 330, with a four/five-seat interior configuration and operating on a combined electric-hybrid propulsion power of 330kW. It is to be followed by the six-seat Cassio 480 with a combined electric-hybrid propulsion power of 480kW, and the Cassio 600 – sized at a 10/12-seat capacity with electric-hybrid propulsion power of 600kW.