VoltAero Initiates Construction of Assembly Line for Cassio Electric-Hybrid Aircraft at Rochefort Airport
The industrial site for VoltAero’s Cassio family aircraft at Rochefort Airport has been designed with a focus on sustainability. (Photo Credit: VoltAero)
ROYAN, France, October 3, 2023 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - In a move toward full-scale production, aviation company VoltAero began the construction of its assembly line for the Cassio electric-hybrid aircraft at Rochefort Airport, located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France.
This 2,400-square-meter facility will focus on assembling and delivering the Cassio general aviation/regional aircraft. The facility situates VoltAero in a strategic location in southwest France, an area with a thriving economy and a notable aviation sector presence. VoltAero’s master plan offers room for expansion up to 7,400 square meters and allows for suppliers and service providers to establish their operations in support of the Cassio production.
Sustainability is a key component of VoltAero’s new facility. Not only will it adhere to France’s RT 2005 regulations for energy-efficient structures, but it will also boast additional features such as a combined concrete/wood structural design, wooden floors, rainwater harvesting, and photovoltaic panels for electricity. The completion of this project is scheduled for August 2024, with an estimated production capacity of around 150 Cassio aircraft annually.
Jean Botti, VoltAero’s CEO and Chief Technology Officer, emphasized the company's commitment, stating, "VoltAero is once again delivering on its promise of bringing a clean-sheet design airplane to market for safe, quiet, efficient and eco-friendly flight using electric-hybrid propulsion."
Echoing the sentiment, Alain Rousset, President of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, said, “The production of Cassio aircraft at Rochefort Airport ensures that our region will be at the forefront of the aeronautics sector’s decarbonization."
The responsibility for project management lies with the regional association of airports, the Syndicat Mixte des Aéroports de La Rochelle - Ile de Ré et Rochefort - Charente-Maritime. Rochefort-based SD Architectes agency has been entrusted as the primary contractor. Gérard Pons, President of the Syndicat Mixte, remarked, "VoltAero represents the type of highly innovative companies that we are looking to support at Rochefort Airport in developing the aviation industry’s future.”
The strategic location provides VoltAero with access to Rochefort Airport’s runway and the region’s transportation infrastructure. The Cassio aircraft, integrated with VoltAero’s electric-hybrid propulsion, aims to offer enhanced performance and reduced operational costs, catering to various services, including cargo, postal delivery, and medical evacuation.
Learn more at www.voltaero.aero.
Source: VoltAero via Newswire
