Under the companies’ contract, Safran will design and produce electrical wiring for the Cassio 330’s propulsion and power distribution systems. This  extends a 2020 agreement involving the aircraft’s hybrid propulsion system.

• READ MORE: VoltAero Shows Off Cassio 330 Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

One focus for Safran will be the aircraft’s high-voltage wiring, which will be rated for power output up to 800 volts in continuous operation. The wiring also will be designed to resist partial discharge phenomena at altitude. The companies said the Cassio 330’s wiring will be the same size as that produced for traditional aircraft but will carry twice as much power.

Safran is to provide technical support for VoltAero in obtaining the safety of flight (SOF) validation, which is a requirement on the path to the aircraft’s test flights for certification. Safran also will supply the electric motor, called the ENGINeUS 100, meant to generate more than 150 kilowatts at takeoff.

• READ MORE: VoltAero Partners with KinectAir on Cassio Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

“The electrical wiring is a critical element of our Cassio aircraft, and we’ve selected Safran Electrical & Power based on the company’s expertise—particularly at high power levels,” said Jean Botti, VoltAero’s CEO and chief technology officer. “This marks another important step toward the Cassio 330’s certification and service entry.” 

The VoltAero hybrid propulsion concept uses all-electric power from taxi and takeoff through landing  when the total flying distance is less than about 80 nm. The hybrid design’s internal combustion engine is used to extend range by recharging the batteries in flight. The hybrid system also provides backup power in case of problems with the electric propulsion system.

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From a literal standpoint, many examples of this concept jostled for attention on the static display and in the halls at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget this year. But the distributed power demonstrated by CORAC-supported collaboration between major aerospace OEMs Daher, Safran, and Airbus on the EcoPulse project has also emerged as a theme in the drive toward a market-ready airplane.

CORAC stands for “le Conseil pour la Recherche Aéronautique Civile,” or French Aeronautic Research Council, a focal group in France leading the charge toward decarbonization. EcoPulse is also funded by the DGAC (France’s civil aviation authority) through France Relance and NextGenerationEU. While governmental motivation is critical, what powers a project toward real sustainability solutions is the will to commit precious workforce and material resources at the corporate and teams level.

What Is EcoPulse?

From a distance, the silhouette of the EcoPulse belies its basis on the Daher TBM airframe. Already an efficient utilizer of the Pratt & Whitney PT6-series turboprop engine, the TBM 900 formed a shell for the project with well-understood aerodynamics and serviceability as a baseline for the effort.

Daher was already “in anticipation” of the current climate on decarbonization for some time, according to head of aircraft design Christophe Robin, lead for the EcoPulse project for Daher’s team, with chief technology officer Pascal Laguerre. 

“We started to think about that five years ago, and at that time it was not a very common word—decarbonization—so we said we need to do something,” said Robin in a walkaround the airplane with FLYING. “But let’s make something very concrete. No PowerPoint, no things like that. Let’s build an aircraft—and let’s build an aircraft with partners, with people that have the technology that we don’t have as an aircraft manufacturer. Above 28 volts of electricity, we don’t know too much.

“The goal is not to modify a TBM. The goal is to put as much technology as possible on an aircraft, to make something which is probably completely stupid from a product point of view, but which makes sense from a technology point of view.” 

From this, the consortium would learn and capture immense amounts of data from which to draw conclusions that could inform a marketable initial product offering.

• READ MORE: EcoPulse Aircraft Headlines Daher’s Sustainability Initiatives

The project was announced at Le Bourget in 2019—the last occasion of the Paris Air Show—and work has taken place since then. Safran produced the six electric ENGINeUS motors (at 80 kwh each) mounted with e-Propellers distributed along the wings, three on each side. The props have two positions, one for normal flight, and one feathered. The propulsion system takes its power from two sources: a turbogenerator—an electricity generator powered by a gas-burning turbine—from Safran and a battery pack supplied by Airbus. The Power Distribution and Rectifier Unit protects the high-voltage network and distributes the available electrical power along with the high-voltage harnesses (all from Safran). That’s important, because the system manages a total capacity of 800 volts—a leap in electrical system management unprecedented in this type of vehicle.

“Hybridization and electrification are key to the aerospace sector’s decarbonization journey,” said Sabine Klauke, CTO at Airbus. “With EcoPulse, we learned a lot from developing the high-power battery pack entirely, from the monitoring system to the thermal runaway and short-circuit tests. Some of these key learnings are already applied in several of our demonstrators with the common ambition to lower emissions. We are now all eager to see this technology flying and continue to progress on our electrification roadmap.”

First Flight: Normal Power

The EcoPulse took its maiden flight in 2022 using its stock PT6A engine before the electrical system was operational. Ground and flight testing thus far in 2023—including 27 hours in flight—have gone toward proving the aerodynamics of the engine configuration along with the operability of its systems. The flight deck features a Garmin G1000 standard on the airframe, with additional avionics to support the new systems. The consortium looks forward to the first flight engaging the electric motors later this summer.

“The demonstrator has so far amassed around 27 hours of flight time with the electric propellers feathered,” said Laguerre of Daher. “Flight tests of the hybrid-electric powertrain are due to begin later this summer. We are going to learn a lot. From this demonstration program, we plan to develop our future product roadmap and basically spec the hybrid aircraft we intend to produce by the end of our five-year plan. We expect by the end of 2027 to be able to offer our first hybrid aircraft to the market.”

Eric Dalbiès, executive vice president of strategy and CTO for Safran, said: “After endurance ground test campaign for the e-Propellers, the first hybrid-electric flight with the six e-Propellers activated will be an important milestone for our technology roadmap as Safran’s objective is to position itself as the leader in future hybrid and all-electric aircraft systems.” 

“For us this project is a sweet sport,” Dalbiès added in the press briefing. “Whatever happens in the future, about the maturity of this kind of system, it’s really answering the goals of research and technology projects, to make a representative demonstration—full scale—of the complete system.”

The post EcoPulse Debut at Paris Highlights Progress on Sustainable Solutions appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The company said it will also continue to develop partnerships with companies in the U.S. as it moves through the certification process..  

“FAA certification is one of the most important processes for companies in the aerospace industry,” said Braden J. Kim, PLANA’s CEO. “With the establishment of the U.S. subsidiary, we plan to increase our interactions in the newly created [advanced air mobility] AAM market as well as FAA certification.”

PLANA said it is developing an eVTOL aircraft that uses sustainable aviation fuel in its hybrid powertrain to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent compared with existing helicopters. The aircraft is meant to have a range of 500 kilometers, or about 310 miles,  while carrying a pilot and four passengers.

The company said it is conducting test flights with a one-fifth-scale model of its eVTOL. Later this year, the company plans to take part in the K-UAM Grand Challenge, a demonstration event organized by the country’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The PLANA aircraft is part of a large field of battery-electric and hybrid-electric eVTOLs that are moving through development and certification processes with plans to enter passenger service within two to three years.

The post PLANA Opens Two California Locations While Seeking FAA Certification appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Among the many eVTOL designs that startup companies are developing, the Horizon prototype is notable for its hybrid power system that includes electric motors and an internal combustion engine. The company said the redundant power plants increase safety and allow the aircraft to continue operating in the case of certain failures. 

“This aircraft has exceeded expectations during initial hover testing. It is extremely stable, is capable of full hover at only 65 percent power, and has hovered with 20 percent of its fans purposely disabled in order to test system redundancy,” said Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft. “This is a large-scale aircraft, with a 22-foot wingspan, over 15 feet in length, and capable of speeds over 175 mph. It continues to yield valuable data that is constantly improving our full-scale design.”

• READ MORE: Horizon Aircraft Builds Hybrid eVTOL Test Prototype

Horizon said its patented eVTOL design allows the aircraft “to fly 98 percent of its mission in

a very low-drag configuration like a traditional aircraft.” which it said is more efficient than relying more extensively on lift from rotors. Horizon also said its concept will be easier to certify because it operates more like a traditional airplane than competing eVTOL designs.

The company said its full-scale aircraft’s hybrid system will be able to recharge the batteries in flight. The company said it plans to conduct its transition tests at the ACE Climatic Wind Tunnel, part of Ontario Tech University in Ontario, Canada.

The post Horizon’s Cavorite X5 eVTOL Completes Initial Hover Tests appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The companies—including Airbus, Ampaire, Archer Aviation, BETA Technologies, Bye Aerospace, Eve Air Mobility, Joby Aviation, Lilium, Overair, Signature Flight Support, Skyports, Supernal LLC, Vertical Aerospace, Wisk Aero, and ZeroAvia—say that while sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are “an immediate solution to decarbonize the sector,” it is vital to also invest in future aircraft technology.

• READ MORE: Is Los Angeles Becoming a Battleground for eVTOLs?

“The world is currently experiencing the most exciting time in aviation since the dawn of the jet age,” the companies said in their letter. “Recently, the White House correctly recognized this by listing net-zero aviation technologies as one of five priorities in its ‘U.S. Innovation to Meet 2050 Climate Goals’ for the newly formed Zero Emissions Game Changes Initiative.” 

The companies attested that the technologies they represent “provide the first and best long-term path to achieving net zero aviation emissions.” They noted that “electric, hybrid-electric and hydrogen aircraft will begin commercial operations as soon as 2024 and provide the aviation industry its first net-zero operations” for short haul, regional and long-haul flights.”

The companies also stressed the need to develop new infrastructure specifically designed for zero-emission aircraft and keep pace with advancements made in other countries.

“Other nations around the world have begun to heavily invest in zero-emissions technologies because of the environmental and societal benefits that will accompany them. The United Kingdom’s Aerospace Technology Institute announced a 685 million pound investment over three years specifically for zero emission technologies.

The European Union and its member states have also committed over a billion euros in Investment,” the letter reads.

The companies said that by embracing new technology the U.S. could create jobs while helping to decarbonize the aviation sector. “Since the dawn of flight, the United States has led the world in the research, development, and advancement of flight. In part, this has led to the aerospace and defense sector being the number one exporting sector annually.”

In the future the U.S. could maintain its leadership by prioritizing zero-emissions aviation, the companies said, noting that they “stand willing and ready to engage and assist in supporting this leadership.”

The post Industry Consortium Lobbies for More Federal Sustainable Aviation Investment appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Airbus said the partnership with Renault, which has many years of experience developing and manufacturing hybrid and electric vehicles, will help it develop hybrid-electric power technology for future aircraft.

As part of the agreement, engineering teams from Airbus and Renault “will join forces to mature technologies related to energy storage, which remains one of the main roadblocks for the development of long-range electric vehicles,” Airbus said.

The companies’ cooperation is expected to focus in part on improving energy management and battery weight, and finding the best ways to move beyond today’s lithium-ion battery designs. Airbus said future generations of batteries with so-called solid-state construction “could double the energy density of batteries in the 2030 timeframe.”

The companies also plan to study the potential life cycle of future batteries including environmental implications of their production, service life and potential for recycling.

“For the first time, two European leaders from different industries are sharing engineering knowledge to shape the future of hybrid-electric aircraft,’’ said Gilles Le Borgne, EVP, Engineering, Renault Group. “At Renault Group, our 10 years of experience in the electric vehicle value chain gives us some of the strongest feedback from the field and expertise in the performance of battery management systems.” 

“This cross-industry partnership with Renault Group will help us mature the next generation of batteries as part of Airbus’ electrification roadmap,” said Sabine Klauke, chief technical officer for Airbus. “Reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is a unique challenge that requires cooperation across sectors, starting today.”

The post Airbus, Renault To Work Together On Electric Vehicle Technology appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Announced at EAA Airventure, the partnership includes RED Aircraft’s AO3 series compression ignition engine, rated to 550 hp, and Ampaire’s electrical system for peak power. RED Aircraft will develop and supply Jet A/sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)-compatible engine subsystems to Ampaire as part of the partnership’s goal to commercialize electric-propulsion aircraft for applications up to 800 hp.

“RED Aircraft sees enormous potential for hybrid-electric aircraft and believes the Eco Caravan is just the first step to bringing a new level of efficiency and vastly lower emissions to a large swath of aviation,” said Jürgen Schwarz, CEO of RED. “We are thrilled to be pursuing these opportunities hand-in-hand with Ampaire.”

The Cessna Eco Caravan serves as the first aircraft to receive the new propulsion system, but many more hybrid-electric fixed-wing aircraft are in development.

“The modern, powerful, and ultra-fuel-efficient RED engines have exactly the right characteristics for the Eco Caravan’s hybrid-electric propulsion system and for many other upgrades or all-new designs we may pursue,” said Ampaire CEO Kevin Noertker. “We are very pleased to take this first step in collaboration with a company that shares our goal to decarbonize aviation while reducing costs for aircraft operators and their passengers.”

Ampaire is not the first to electrify a Caravan, however. In 2020, electric propulsion designer Magnix and flight test specialist AeroTEC developed a fully-electric Cessna 208B Caravan. The aircraft’s maiden flight only lasted 30 minutes, restricting it to short distances.

Also, Pipistrel’s fully electric Velis Electro two-seater has been type certificated by EASA, and is being used as a trainer in the U.S. In Colorado, Bye Aerospace said recently it’s making significant progress toward key approvals to certificate its fully electric eFlyer 2 two-seater. 

• READ MORE: Bye Aerospace Nears Key Approvals for eFlyer 2 

H2 About the Aircraft 

According to Ampaire, the Eco Caravan will offer several benefits, including:

• fuel consumption reduced up to 70 percent
• Jet A/SAF compatible engine
• lower initial engine and maintenance costs
• up to 40 percent lower operating costs.

Ampaire was formed in 2016 to upgrade existing passenger aircraft to hybrid-electric vehicles in order to push the aviation industry towards net-zero emissions. RED, or Raikhlin Engine Developments, was founded in 1995 by Vladimir Raikhlin and is based in Adenau, Germany.

The post Ampaire Selects RED Aircraft GmbH as Engine Supplier for Hybrid-Electric Eco Caravan appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Kayat delivered the news at a press event at the National Business Aviation Association’s European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland. EBACE officially opens on Monday at the Palexpo center at the Geneva International Airport (LSGG).

“In taking bold steps to decarbonize airplanes, we need to evolve the way we build them—applying innovative materials and rethinking their industrialization—while also decarbonizing the entire process that leads to the aircraft manufacturers’ assembly lines,” said Kayat. 

Sustainability remains the focus for Daher, while it awaits FAA certification on its latest traditionally-powered TBM, the 960.

The EcoPulse a Joint Effort

The EcoPulse is one aspect of the company’s push to fulfill the pledge made by the business aviation industry to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The joint project by Daher, Safran, and Airbus—along with France’s CORAC civil aviation research council—uses the TBM 900-series as the platform upon which it has integrated six wing-mounted props, each driven by a 50 kW electric motor. The electric system will work in concert with the airplane’s standard propulsion system, the Pratt & Whitney PT6-series turboprop powerplant.

Daher takes on the role of primary integrator in the project, while Airbus leads development of the high-energy-density main battery system, capable of storing 350 kW at a weight of 350 kg. Airbus will also work out aerodynamic and acoustic integration of the systems and flight control computer, while Safran provides the electric motors themselves. Safran’s ENGINeUS series of electric motors is also in proving tests on VoltAero’s Cassio-1 and will drive development on Diamond’s eDA40.

‘Techcenters’ for Sustainable Development

Kayat puts forward the company’s 160-year history and family ownership as strengths toward achieving Daher’s sustainability targets. To this end, he also announced the company’s determination to construct three innovation centers—dubbed “Techcenters”—to focus on each of Daher’s three core competencies: aircraft manufacturing, aerospace equipment, and logistics.

“These innovation centers represented a bold decision by Daher, as we launched them while the aviation sector was still facing challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kayat. “They reflect our ambition and commitment to develop increasingly innovative and environmentally responsible solutions, which can further be introduced on Daher’s aircraft roadmap.”

The Aerostructures Techcenter is located in Nantes, France, and will focus on composite structure innovation and propose to reduce maturity lead times. The Aircraft Techcenter in Tarbes leverages the company’s skillset there, and will include “materials laboratories, rapid prototyping workshops, and facilities for mechanical engineering testing, systems integration, along with flight test preparation and operation,” according to a company statement.

Further News on TBM 960 FAA Certification?

Daher delivered its first TBM 960 in April to a German customer. The TBM 960—powered by the new Pratt & Whitney PT6E-66XT turboprop engine—has received its type certificate under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) but still awaits acceptance by the FAA.

Daher is presenting the TBM 940 with its HomeSafe autoland suite for the first time at EBACE this week, as the company prepares its 960 models for deliveries to European customers in the coming weeks.

“We’re pleased to be at EBACE, where we didn’t have the opportunity to showcase the TBM 940 because of the COVID pandemic, to explain its outstanding features in terms of safety with the game-changing HomeSafe and the TBM e-copilot, key features for business aviation,” said Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice president of Daher’s Aircraft Division. “More than ever, our family of single-engine turboprop aircraft offers high levels of operating efficiency and enhanced aviation sustainability for business aviation in Europe and beyond.”

The post EcoPulse Aircraft Headlines Daher’s Sustainability Initiatives appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The announcement, made this week, did not disclose the amount of the investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures—the venture capital arm of Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT)—but Electra says it is part of its Series A funding round.   

About the Aircraft

Electra is one of dozens of urban air mobility (UAM) companies looking to launch in the coming years. By 2040, analysts project the market for global urban and regional advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft will be valued between $250 billion and $1 trillion.

Electra claims its eSTOL aircraft can operate from spaces as small as 300 feet by 100 feet, using its patent-pending distributed electric propulsion and blown lift technology. 

Unlike its competitors in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft space, Electra is focused on hybrid technologies.

“Hybrid-electric propulsion will influence every aspect of aviation,” said John S. Langford, Electra founder and CEO, in a statement. 

A small turbine-powered generator also recharges the batteries mid-flight, eliminating the need for new ground-charging infrastructure. 

Chris Moran, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures, said it’s that hybrid focus that led to his company’s investment. 

“Electra’s technical approach to sustainable aviation is differentiated, and we are excited to see this concept mature,” Moran said in a statement “…Hybrid-electric aircraft have the potential to deliver operational and environmental advantages over other aircraft, including increased payload and range without gambling on battery improvements.” 

The quieter and more environmentally friendly aircraft is currently being designed to transport up to 1,800 pounds of cargo or move seven to nine passengers up to 500 miles. 

Electra also says its aircraft can operate in a variety of environments, ranging from busy urban areas to remote landing strips, and fly missions ranging from on-demand intracity flights to medical missions, cargo transportation, scheduled passenger service, and beyond.

The company says it plans to begin flight testing a full-scale, hybrid eSTOL technology demonstrator aircraft later this year, and hopes to get FAA approval in 2026 under Level 3 multiengine type certification, low-speed (max operating speed less than 250 kts) airplane, under 14 CFR.

Looking Ahead

As Electra works toward flight testing, it is also working in partnership with the U.S. Air Force under a contract the two entities signed in June as part of its Agility Prime initiative to explore new and developing technologies for military use.

Additionally, in July, NASA awarded a contract to Electra under the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program to mature its eSTOL development.

The post Lockheed Martin Invests in eSTOL Startup Electra appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The French startup company revealed the design of the Atea, a five-seat VTOL scheduled to begin production in 2025. 

Designed to fly regionally, Atea will have a range of 400 km with 80 percent reduced carbon emissions, the company said in a news release. The aircraft features fan-in-wing technology, with eight rotors on two sets of wings and two horizontal propellers.

Additional features include a lift-plus-cruise configuration for vertical and horizontal flight and a skyview cabin. Atea is projected to be used for passenger transport, emergency services, and surveillance flights.

“We set-up Ascendance Flight Technologies with a very clear vision of what we wanted to achieve: to accelerate transition towards green aviation thanks to hybrid technology,” said Jean-Christophe Lambert, co-founder and CEO, in a statement. 

“The design of Atea is the concrete reflection of our values, our experience and of our know-how,” Lambert said. “The aircraft we are presenting to you today is the result of huge efforts by our R&D department, tests and trials on four prototypes, and a great deal of thought on costs and the ease of flying such an aircraft. Its characteristics provide all the performances expected by a sector that the ongoing transition has made more demanding”

Last year, the company—founded in 2018 by Lambert—raised €10 million in funding toward the development of its hybrid-electric platform. 

“This successful round of funding will allow us to focus on full-scale prototypes and patents in order to accelerate the development and industrialization of our technologies and products,” Lambert said at the time.

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