Market Intelligence: North America

Elixir Aircraft, a France headquartered manufacturer of training aircraft, has announced that it has signed 80 letters of intent for 110 aircraft at AirVenture. 20 reservation contracts (pre-orders) have also been signed. This brings the order book to 330 aircraft, including orders, pre-orders and letters of intent, for all markets combined. With a view to the forthcoming American certification of the Elixir aircraft, representatives of the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) came to visit the stand, as well as numerous flight schools (FTO), universities, private pilots, students and suppliers.

20 pre-orders and 80 letters of intent for 110 aircraft

EAA AirVenture, the world’s largest fly-in, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has just closed its doors, after a week of exhibitions and airshows.

Elixir Aircraft was exhibiting for the third time, with a stand three times bigger than in previous years, in the heart of the area dedicated to aircraft training, a stone’s throw from the universities area.

This choice of location and loyalty to the event enabled Elixir Aircraft to sign 80 letters of intent for 110 aircraft, as well as 20 reservation contracts (pre-orders). This brings the total number of the order book (orders, pre-orders and letters of intent) to 330 Elixir aircraft.

Elixir Aircraft was present at AirVenture with the two models in its range, the Elixir 100 hp for training and the Elixir 140 hp for travel. Both met with their markets, including schools and private owners of all profiles, including first-time buyers.

FAA appointment week

The forthcoming FAA Part-23 certification will allow letters of intent to be transformed into reservation contracts, enabling the customer to obtain a serial number on the production line. Two American flight schools, Cirrus Aviation and Sierra Charlie, which have signed their letters of intent for 2023, are at the top of the waiting list.

The meeting with the FAA was therefore eagerly awaited. Over the course of the week, several representatives of the American civil aviation authority, at all levels of decision-making, came to meet Elixir Aircraft. They were able to see for themselves the high level of reliability and safety of the aircraft.

Developing the local supply chain

With a view to opening the reassembly plant in Sarasota, Florida, in spring 2025, Elixir Aircraft also met its main suppliers, who were also exhibiting at AirVenture, including Beringer, MT Propellers, Rotax, Garmin and BRS. Other potential partners have also been approached to set up the local spare parts stock and maintenance.

About Elixir Aircraft
Elixir Aircraft is a French aircraft manufacturer founded in 2015 to meet the challenges of global light aviation. Based in La Rochelle, it has over 150 employees and is recruiting massively. Elixir Aircraft designed and has been building a 4th-generation two-seater aircraft, certified EASA CS-23 since 2020. Elixir Aircraft uses technology from the world of competitive sailing, the “Carbon Oneshot” (in one piece), to simplify structures. More simplicity means fewer failures, so greater safety, but also less maintenance, and lower costs (estimates of savings of $50/h fuel and maintenance). At the end of 2021, Elixir Aircraft opened a new production site in Périgny, Charente Maritime, to bring production of all carbon parts in-house.

There are 26 Elixir aircraft currently in operation, with over 330 of the 4th-generation Elixir aircraft on the order book (firm orders, pre-orders and letters of intent). In June 2023, the French President announced a 13-million euro subsidy for Elixir Aircraft. In early 2024, Elixir Aircraft announced the closing of its development financing for the next 5 years, with a budget of 40 million euros. Elixir Aircraft is preparing to open a new 15,000 m2 facility in La Rochelle and another in Sarasota, Florida.

Source: Elixir Aircraft