TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

摘要

FRENCH COMPANY VoltAero gave the first public presentation of its hybrid-electric Cassio 1 testbed aircraft during an event on October 21 at the firm's Aerodrome de Royan-Medis headquarters in southwest France. The Cassio 1, test registration F-WOLT, is a modified Cessna 337 Super Skymaster that has been fitted with the most powerful hybrid-electric powertrain for VoltAero's family of Cassio production aircraft. It made its first flight in this configuration on October 11 from the airfield. Two further flight evaluations were completed over the following two days. Installed in an aft-fuselage 'pusher' position with a five-blade propeller, this proprietary power module combines three 60kW high-performance electric motors with a 370hp internal combustion engine. In addition to the pusher propeller, the Cassio 1 testbed also retains two wing-mounted ENGINeUS 45 electric motors from Safran Electrical & Power, with three-blade propellers, installed earlier in the forward-facing 'puller' position, in line with the twin booms. The original nose-mounted engine and propeller were also removed previously and the nose faired over.