{{short description|French hybrid electric aircraft}} {{Infobox aircraft | name = Cassio | logo = | logo_size = | image = File:VoltAero Cassio-330.jpg | alt = | caption = The Cassio 330 updated configuration with a conventional T-Tail and twin pusher propellers | long_caption = | other_names = | aircraft_type = [[hybrid electric aircraft]] | aim = | outcome = | related = | national_origin = [[France]] | manufacturer = [[VoltAero]] | design_group = | designer = | builder = | issuer = | status = Under development | owners = | primary_user = | more_users = | service = | major_applications = | proposals = | prototypes = | number_built = | construction_number = | civil_registration = | military_serial = | radio_code = | requirement = | aircraft_carried = | flights = | total_hours = | total_distance = | construction_date = | introduction = planned 2027<ref name=Flight15June2025/> | retired = | first_flight = modified testbed : 10 March 2020<ref name=Flight11March2020/><br/>prototype : planned early 2026<ref name=Flight15June2025/> | initiated = | in_service = | last_flight = | expected = | developed_from = | variants = | developed_into = | preservation = | fate = | predecessors = | successors = | concluded = }}
The '''VoltAero Cassio''' is a family of [[hybrid electric aircraft]] being developed by startup company [[VoltAero]]. The company plans to produce three configurations of the Cassio aircraft: the four-place Cassio 330, the six-place Cassio 480, and the ten-place Cassio 600.<ref name=AVweb8May2020>{{cite news |url= https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/business-aviation-news/voltaero-reveals-production-design-for-hybrid-electric-cassio/ |title= VoltAero Reveals Production Design For Hybrid-Electric Cassio |date= May 8, 2020 |author= Kate O'Connor |work= AVweb}}</ref>
== Development == [[File:VoltAero Cassio.jpg|thumb|The testbed is a modified [[Cessna 337 Skymaster]] with two front electric motors]]
VoltAero was established in [[Royan]] in September 2017 by the [[chief technical officer|CTO]] and test pilot of the 2014 [[Airbus E-Fan]] 1.0, with the support of the French [[Nouvelle-Aquitaine]] region.<!--ref name=AvWeek25oct2018--> The company is assembling a testbed based on the [[Cessna 337 Skymaster]], which was intended to fly in late February 2019.<!--<ref name=AvWeek25oct2018>--> The clean-sheet, all-composite Cassio prototype should follow in 2020, deliveries were initially anticipated in late 2021 or early 2022.<ref name=AvWeek25oct2018>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/future-aerospace/e-fan-experience-spawns-french-hybrid-electric-startup |title= E-Fan Experience Spawns French Hybrid-Electric Startup |date= Oct 25, 2018 |author= Graham Warwick |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}</ref>
For ground-testing the propulsion system, a Skymaster airframe was modified into an iron bird, on static display at the June 2019 [[Paris Air Show]].<!--ref name=AvWeek28may2019--> The Skymaster testbed should fly without its nose engine in September 2019, and with the hybrid power module replacing the rear engine before the end of the year.<!--ref name=AvWeek28may2019--> The initial power module uses a [[Nissan]] automobile engine, followed by an in-house multifuel engine development.<!--ref name=AvWeek28may2019--> Building three prototypes and a structural test article will need a new [[fundraising]].<!--ref name=AvWeek28may2019--> The first production aircraft would be delivered by the end of 2022.<ref name=AvWeek28may2019>{{cite news |url= https://aviationweek.com/propulsion/voltaero-hybrid-electric-regional-aircraft-development-testing-begins |title= VoltAero Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft Development Testing Begins |date= May 28, 2019 |author= Graham Warwick |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}</ref>
By October 2019, VoltAero had upgraded its testbed with two [[Safran EngineUS]] 45 motors, each producing {{cvt|70|kW}} maximum and {{cvt|45|kW}} continuously, installed on the wing with tractor propellers.<!--ref name=AvWeek28oct2019--> November flight tests from [[Royan – Médis Aerodrome]] will keep both piston engines for 15 hours, before removing the forward piston engine for 10 hours.<!--ref name=AvWeek28oct2019--> The aft hybrid system has a {{cvt|170|kW|0}} Nissan car engine developed with [[Solution F/Chretien Helicopter|Solution F]], with an additional {{cvt|60|kW}} [[Emrax]] electric motor on the same shaft, for 100 hours of tests including endurance and demonstration flights.<ref name=AvWeek28oct2019>{{cite news |url= https://aviationweek.com/future-aerospace/week-technology-oct-28-nov-1-2019 |title= The Week In Technology, Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 2019 |date= Oct 28, 2019 |editor= Graham Warwick |work= Aviation Week & Space Technology}}</ref> By March 2020, flight trials had begun for the hybrid-electric with its push-pull triple propeller configuration, before unveiling the Cassio 2 on 24 March.<ref name=Flight11March2020>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/business-aviation/voltaero-gets-off-ground-in-hybrid-power-push/137194.article |title= VoltAero gets off ground in hybrid power push |author= Dan Thisdell |date= 11 March 2020 |work= Flightglobal}}</ref>
[[File:2020-05-VoltAero-Cassio.jpg|thumb|The previous configuration: a [[three-surface aircraft]] with a single [[Pusher configuration|pusher]] propeller and a [[twin boom]] tail]]
In May 2020, VoltAero presented the production Cassio family: the {{cvt|330|kW}} combined Cassio 330 offering four seats, to be delivered from 2022, the later {{cvt|480|kW}} Cassio 480 seating six and the {{cvt|600|kW}} Cassio 600 accommodating ten people.<ref name=VoltAero6may2020>{{cite press release |url= https://www.voltaero.aero/en/press-releases/voltaero-cassio-production-version/ |title= VoltAero opens a new era in electric aviation with the unveiling of its production-version Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft |date= May 6, 2020 |publisher= VoltAero}}</ref> The six-seater is planned for 2023 and the 10 seater for 2024.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/business-aviation/voltaero-reveals-new-configuration-for-hybrid-electric-cassio/138343.article |title= VoltAero reveals new configuration for hybrid-electric Cassio |author= Dan Thisdell, Kate Sarsfield |date= 12 May 2020 |work= Flightglobal}}</ref>
The prototype Cassio 330 hybrid-electric aircraft [[prototype]] was first publicly displayed at the 2023 [[Paris Air Show]], in June 2023. Powered by a four-cylinder [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries|Kawasaki]] engine, it will be used for [[airframe]] design flight testing prior to the installation of a hybrid powerplant.<ref name="Oconnor19Jun23">{{cite web|url= https://www.avweb.com/air-shows-events/paris/voltaero-unveils-cassio-330-prototype/|title= VoltAero Unveils Cassio 330 Prototype|access-date= 20 June 2023|last= O'Connor|first= Kate|work= Avweb|date= 19 June 2023|archive-url= https://archive.today/20230620111714/https://www.avweb.com/air-shows-events/paris/voltaero-unveils-cassio-330-prototype/|archive-date= 20 June 2023|url-status= live}}</ref>
In June 2025, VoltAero made public a redesign with a conventional [[T-tail]] and two fuselage-mounted pusher electric motors, similar to the [[Piaggio P180]] or the [[Airbus E-Fan]].<ref name=Flight15June2025/> The configuration replaces the previous twin-boom tail and single pusher propeller, to avoid [[Propeller (aeronautics)|blade]] detachement certification difficulties.<ref name=Flight15June2025/> The fuselage is stretched by 60 cm (23 in) and the parallel hybrid powertrain is replaced by a series one, as the thermal engine is used as a range extender.<ref name=Flight15June2025/> Power requirements grew higher than the previous {{cvt|125|kW|hp}} [[Safran EngineUS]] 100, offered up to {{cvt|180|kW|hp}}, and than the previous {{cvt|150|kW|hp}} [[Kawasaki Ninja]] motorcycle engine.<ref name=Flight15June2025/> The first prototype should fly in early 2026 powered by twin [[Rotax 916]]s, certification is planned for 2027.<ref name=Flight15June2025>{{cite news |url= https://www.flightglobal.com/aerospace/voltaero-takes-more-conventional-approach-as-it-redesigns-hybrid-electric-cassio-330/163364.article |title= VoltAero takes more conventional approach as it redesigns hybrid-electric Cassio 330 |author= Dominic Perry |date= 15 June 2025 |work= Flightglobal}}</ref>
== Design ==
<!--configuration--> To be certified under EASA CS-23 regulations, the production configuration is a [[three-surface aircraft|three-surface]] layout with a forward fixed canard, an aft, mid-mounted wing, and a [[twin boom]], high tail, framing a single [[Pusher configuration|pusher]] propeller powered by an internal combustion engine and electric motors.<ref name=VoltAero6may2020/> The maximum gross weight should be 5 t (11,000 lb), with {{cvt|400|kg}} of additional weight for the electric motors and the batteries in the nose and in the wingbox.<ref name=AvWeek28may2019/> The Cassio will be powered by two {{cvt|60|kW}} [[electric motors]] driving [[tractor propeller]]s on the wing and a {{cvt|170|kW}} [[piston engine]] and {{cvt|150|kW}} motor driving a [[pusher propeller]] in the aft fuselage.<ref name=AvWeek25oct2018/>
<!--performance--> The combination of fuel and batteries will give it a {{cvt|1,200|km|nmi}} range with nine people aboard.<ref name=AvWeek25oct2018/> It should fly up to 200 km as a pure electric aircraft, {{cvt|200-600|km|nmi}} as a battery-assisted mild hybrid and over 600 km using more its combustion engine.<!--ref name=AvWeek28may2019--> Its cruise speed should be {{cvt|200|kn|km/h}} cruise its [[Endurance (aeronautics)|endurance]] 3.5 h, which could be extended to 5 h.<ref name=AvWeek28may2019/> The production four-seater targets a {{cvt|1,800|feet}} field capability within a {{cvt|2.5|t|lb}} [[Maximum takeoff weight|MTOW]].<ref name=VoltAero6may2020/>
<!--operations--> Lower [[aircraft noise|noise]] should be allowed by the electric [[taxiing]] and take off, before hybrid power above {{cvt|1,200|ft}}.<!--ref name=AvWeek28may2019--> Fuel consumption could be reduced by up to 20%, with hybrid cruise until the batteries have discharged to a 20% energy level, before recharging them with the thermal engine.<!--ref name=AvWeek28may2019--> The [[cost of ownership]] is targeted for €290/h ($323) and a 10 h per day availability should allow eight daily rotations.<!--ref name=AvWeek28may2019-->
== Specifications (Cassio 1) ==
{{Aircraft specs |ref=Aviation Week<ref name=AvWeek28may2019/> |prime units?=met
<!--General characteristics--> |crew= |capacity=4 to 6 people |length m= |span m= |height m= |wing area sqm= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg=5000 |max takeoff weight kg= |fuel capacity= |more general=
<!--Powerplant--> |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=piston engine |eng1 type= |eng1 kw=170 |eng1 note=<ref name=AvWeek25oct2018/>
|eng2 number=5 |eng2 name=electric engines |eng2 type= |eng2 kw=60 |eng2 note=: 2 tractor, 3 in the rear power module
|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop name= |prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft --> |prop dia note=
<!--Performance--> |max speed kmh= |max speed note= |cruise speed kts=200 |cruise speed note= |stall speed kmh= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed kmh= |never exceed speed note= |minimum control speed kmh= |minimum control speed note= |range km=1200 |range note=, {{cvt|200|km|nmi}} electric only range, hybrid above |ferry range km= |ferry range note= |endurance=3.5 h |ceiling m= |ceiling note= |climb rate ms= |climb rate note= |time to altitude= |lift to drag= |wing loading kg/m2= |wing loading note= |fuel consumption kg/km= |power/mass= |more performance= |avionics= }}
== See also == * [[Ampaire Electric EEL]] * [[Eviation Alice]] * [[Wright Electric]] * [[Zunum Aero]]
== References == {{reflist}}
[[Category:Proposed aircraft of France]] [[Category:Hybrid electric aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft first flown in 2020]] [[Category:High-wing aircraft]] [[Category:Twin-boom aircraft]] [[Category:Three-engined push-pull aircraft]] [[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]