Market Intelligence: -Training Aircraft Developments

USA – Elixir Aircraft, the 4th generation aircraft manufacturer, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to supply 35 Elixir 100HP aircraft to Buiqui Aerospace, flying school based in Orlando, Florida.

Following their meeting in Oshkosh during EAA AirVenture airshow in July 2024, Elixir Aircraft and Buiqui Aerospace have signed a letter of intent to supply 35 Elixir aircraft to the flying school based in Orlando, Florida.

Georgie Buitron, CFO and co-founder of Buiqui Aerospace stated, “After meeting the Elixir Aircraft team and experiencing their innovative aircraft at Oshkosh in July 2024, my partners and I were thoroughly impressed. The Elixir is tailored for professional flight training, boasting significant safety enhancements, a reduction in carbon emissions by up to 70% compared to older aircraft, and a design that minimizes maintenance time, allowing more flight hours for our students.”

Cyril Champenois, co-founder of Elixir Aircraft and head of sales and marketing added, “The Elixir being best in class globally for its extremely low operating cost of around 50$ per hour, fuel and maintenance, as well as for its carbon airframe with no life expectancy. These features make it a perfect aircraft economically for Buiqui Aerospace, but also technically in hot and humid regions such as Florida.”

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 30 Elixir aircraft currently in operation, with over 300 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.

About Buiqui Aerospace
With six locations across the United States and Puerto Rico, Buiqui Aerospace operates under Part 161 and continues to open its doors to aspiring pilots. Buiqui has trained over 350 students from both national and international backgrounds and has strategic partnerships with over 10 airlines and financial institutions.

Source: Elixir Aircraft