“Cassio S” Reborn as “X-Volt” to Flight Test ERA 19-Seat Hybrid Electric Airliner Technologies

AURA AERO's X-VOLT hybrid-electric testbed returns to flight

AURA AERO (Toulouse Francazal) returned the X-VOLT hybrid-electric demonstrator to flight on September 16. The aircraft serves as a flying testbed for the company's future 19-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft, the ERA. Based on a Cessna (twin piston) 337 Skymaster airframe, the X-VOLT was formerly known as the VoltAero Cassio S. The aircraft was rebranded following AURA AERO's acquisition of VoltAero's assets in June. AURA AERO currently ex…

“Cassio S” reborn as “X-Volt” to flight test ERA 19-seat hybrid electric airliner technologies

Just two months after acquiring VoltAero’s assets, AURA AERO has returned the Cassio S hybrid-electric demonstrator to flight at Rochefort Airport, under its new name “X-VOLT”, says the company in a press release. “X-VOLT will now serve as a flying testbed for ERA propulsion technologies, supporting the development of AURA AERO’s future 19-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft, whose first flight is scheduled for late 2027, according to the company. “Equipped with Safran ENGINeUS electric motors, also selected for ERA, X-VOLT will enable AURA AERO to test key elements of the aircraft’s future propulsion system under real-world flight conditions before they are integrated into the prototype. X-VOLT will also be able to integrate and flight-test, in flight, advanced systems developed by AURA AERO or by industry partners seeking a flight-test platform.” For more information https://www.aura-aero.com/