Market Intelligence: -Training Aircraft Developments

European Training Aircraft Elixir Aircraft Unveils its Decarbonized Aircraft Running on Biofuel or Hydrogen

On the occasion of the Paris Air Show, Elixir Aircraft unveiled its prototype for a low-carbon propulsion aircraft at the Paris Air Lab. Developed as part of a CORAC program in collaboration with Air Liquide, Safran, Daher and Turbotech, the aim of this program is to accelerate the market launch of innovative, more environmentally-friendly aircraftpowered firstly by biofuel and then by hydrogen. Discover this aircraft on the static display of the “Paris Air Lab” stand B3.

Elixir Aircraft has set itself the mission of decarbonizing general aviation, while retaining the advantages it brings. It’s a mission that the company has decided to tackle pragmatically, with the question: what “clean” energies will enable light aircraft to carry out their missions in the future? There are several answers to this question, and choices have to be made. Will the solution be electric, with batteries? Hydrogen with a fuel cell? Hybrid electric? Thermal hydrogen (liquid, gas?)? Thermal biofuel (which?)?

Faced with these questions, Elixir Aircraft has chosen its positio. First of all, biofuels such as aviation kerosene (SAF) and then liquid hydrogen.

Ultimately, the future is dictated by what works today. Commercial aviation has been moving towards biofuels for 15 years, and rightly so. This high-energy-density fuel does not change engines, pilot training, maintenance or distribution methods… It just needs to be mass-produced. Given the sheer volume of fuel needed to power commercial aviation, it’s reasonable to assume that one or more energy suppliers will eventually be able to produce it in quantity and at a reasonable price. As SAF is already distributed to airports worldwide, this choice of fuel seems to Elixir Aircraft to be the best compromise for the future of its propulsion.

Elixir Aircraft is therefore in the process of integrating Turbotech’s TP90 turbine, running on biofuel (SAF), into its 4th-generation aircraft. This aircraft, currently under development, is being unveiled for the first time at the Paris Air Show, on stand B3 “Paris Air Lab”.

Given the long development and certification time involved in aeronautics, the SAF is the sensible choice, but it’s a wise second choice. Liquid hydrogen as a complement to SAF propulsion is a choice that, while far from mature, makes sense. Many manufacturers are interested, including producers/distributors (Air Liquide), and the technological building blocks are available (storage, combustion, distribution). All that remains is to clear the way to integrate the whole system into a device, make it reliable and certify it. This is what the members of the CORAC hydrogen consortium are working on.

Source: Elixir Aircraft Press Release
Photo Credit: Elixir Aircraft

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer, Elixir Aircraft, Receives €13 million Grant from the French Government

On the eve of the Paris Air Show, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a €13 million grant to Elixir Aircraft. Part of a total financing package of some forty million euros, these funds will support the company’s industrialization, as well as R&D on biofuel (SAF) and hydrogen projects.

With a 4th generation aircraft already EASA certified, Elixir Aircraft is pursuing a pragmatic project to become a leader in General Aviation.

Thanks to this funding, Elixir Aircraft will be able to continue reducing the environmental impact of aviation. To achieve this, the company has made its choices: to work on weight savings, biofuels (SAF) and hydrogen. With its OneShot carbon aerostructure technology, Elixir Aircraft today offers a certified training aircraft capable of reducing its CO2 emissions by 70%; tomorrow, by 90%, thanks to SAF; and by almost 100% in several decades, thanks to hydrogen. But having an innovative aircraft doesn’t make you a leader. To find its place, Elixir Aircraft must industrialize production of its first aircraft, while developing other models to complete its range and thus become one of the manufacturers to replace the world fleet of 160,000 aircraft of the 1970s, and its colossal environmental impact.

Arthur Léopold-Léger, co-founder and president of Elixir Aircraft: “The ecological and economic constraints on aviation are becoming more pressing. And yet, humanity has never wanted to travel as much as we do today, although we can no longer do so as we have done for the past 50 years. From one end of the chain to the other, everyone has a role to play. For example, improving the ecological footprint of the aeronautical industry also means reducing CO2 emissions when training airline pilots. With its 1930s engine, a training aircraft today consumes an average of 38L/h of leaded fuel. With the Elixir, we’ve reduced this figure to 12L/h, a reduction of almost 70%. This innovation is available now, without waiting for a hypothetical technological breakthrough! Of course, innovation is a prerequisite, but it’s not enough. Without industrial production capacity, an aircraft, no matter how innovative, will not decarbonize anything if it is not delivered! That’s what this grant is all about: we need to support the production of low-carbon aircraft in France, and Elixir Aircraft is at the forefront of this battle.”

In concrete terms, this state funding will enable Elixir Aircraft to create a brand-new 10,000m² production unit at La Rochelle airport. This will eventually employ around a thousand people in a high-tech production environment. The facility will be equipped with autoclaves, digital cutting machines, laser fiber placement equipment, etc. The aim is to achieve a production rate of over 300 aircraft per month.

“Producing is one thing, but we also need to prepare for the future, as R&D and certification times are very long in our field,” adds Cyril Champenois, co-founder and Marketing & Sales Director of Elixir Aircraft. Elixir Aircraft is already working on future aircraft variants, notably with low-carbon propulsion. Our company is a member of a CORAC program alongside Daher, Safran, Air Liquide and Turbotech, with the aim of developing a turbine-powered Elixir demonstrator over the next few months, first running on SAF and then on hydrogen. Turbines offer enormous advantages in terms of applications. First of all, you have to choose the right energy. With a turbine, Elixir Aircraft is banking on SAF, thanks to the production volume that commercial aviation will guarantee [AL4]. This fuel, already technically derisked, is the only means of decarbonization in the short term. Secondly, certification regulations, pilot and mechanic qualifications, maintenance procedures… everything already exists! Not to mention the fact that student pilots will no longer learn on a piston-powered aircraft and then fly their whole lives on a turbine, they’ll learn directly on a turbine!”

Elixir Aircraft now has the resources it needs to implement its 3-stage development strategy:

  1. Decarbonize its ultra-frugal aircraft in the short term with the Elixir;
  2. Decarbonize in the medium term with the Elixir turbine powered by biofuel (SAF); and
  3. Decarbonize in the long term with the Elixir turbine powered by liquid hydrogen.

About Elixir Aircraft

Elixir Aircraft, a company headquartered in La Rochelle, France, with nearly 100 employees, was founded in 2015 to meet the challenges of global light aviation.

The French company’s objective: to manufacture safer, more economical and more versatile aircraft. Complexity is the reason why today’s aircraft suffer from failures (technical or human), and are costly to operate (fuel consumption and maintenance).

Elixir Aircraft uses a technology from the world of competitive sailing, the Carbon Oneshot, to simplify structures. More simplicity means fewer failures, so greater safety, but also less maintenance, and lower costs (estimates of €40/h fuel and maintenance).

At the end of 2021, Elixir Aircraft opened a new production site in Périgny, Charente Maritime, to internalize all carbon parts production.

Elixir Aircraft in Numbers

  • 4th-generation two-seater aircraft EASA CS-23 certified since 2020
  • 100 employees, including more than 70 new hires since the first quarter of 2021
  • Two production sites in France, one of 2300m², the other of 2000m².
  • +70 aircraft on firm order
  • +140 aircraft on pre-order and letters of intent in the U.S. and Europe

Source: Elixir Aircraft Press Release
Photo Credit: Elixir Aircraft (shown as meta image)

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer Diamond Aircraft’s Aerobatic Trainer Made its First Flight in Austria

On 12 June 2023, the DART-750 aerobatic trainer powered by the PT6A-25C turboprop engine made its first flight at Diamond Aircraft’s headquarters in Wiener Neustadt (Austria).

In January 2022 Diamond Aircraft announced that the DART-750 will be using the proven and certified 750 SHP PT6A-25C turboprop engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada. Alongside the upgrade of the engine installation, the DART-750 features various system upgrades.

Piloted by Diamond’s Head of Flight Test Sören Pedersen and Senior Test Pilot Niko Daroussis, the maiden flight lasted 30 minutes and covered all basic maneuvers including performance and handling checks. The aircraft and all tested parameters did meet or exceed all expectations.

“This flight marks another major milestone in the DART-750 program and demonstrates the entire team’s hard and excellent work in getting it achieved. The positive results make us confident in moving forward with the program as intended,” said Robert Kremnitzer, Diamonds Head of Design Organization.

The DART-750 will be a civil certified all composite aerobatic turboprop trainer in tandem seat configuration, equipped with state-of-the-art Garmin G3000 avionics and the powerful 750 SHP PT6A-25C turboprop engine from Pratt & Whitney Canada. Based on the DART-750, Diamond is offering a DART Basic Training Solution, comprising the aircraft, a proprietary DART FNPT II Simulator and DART CBT (Computer Based Training) experience. With the DART Basic Training Solution, Diamond Aircraft will be covering all phases of basic training including GBTS (Ground Based Training Systems) and BTA (Basic Trainer Aircraft).

The PT6A turboprop has seen 120 enhancements made in the past 10 years alone and is in a class of its own due to its dependability and performance, even in the most challenging of conditions. The PT6A engine has defined General Aviation for more than 60 years and has an engine fleet that has flown more than 440 million hours, with the entire Pratt & Whitney Canada fleet reaching one billion flying hours this year. With more than 52,000 engines produced, the PT6 turboprop is the benchmark in reliability which speaks to its dependable performance in single- and twin-engine aircraft.

The DART-750 will be presented to the broader public at Paris Airshow 2023 (static display #A6) and basic EASA certification is expected in 2024.

Source: Diamond Aircraft Press Release
Photo Credit: Diamond Aircraft

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer Earns Type Acceptance Certification for Electric Aircraft from African Regulator

Pipistrel has earned Type Acceptance certification from South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) for the following products:

  • Pipistrel Explorer
  • Pipistrel Velis Electro
  • Pipistrel E-811 electric engine

This achievement sets a precedent for the validation of electric aircraft in the region, paving the way for future advancements and opportunities, opening up sustainable training opportunities in South Africa. Additionally, this achievement marks the first Velis Electro validation in the entire continent.

Source: Pipistrel Aircraft Announcement
Photo Credit: Pipistrel Aircraft (shown as meta image)

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Czech Republic Flight School Adds New Aircraft

One of Europe’s largest flight schools and Czech Republic based F AIR announced that a SHARK 600 with production number 130 has joined its fleet. The aircraft is available for rental, retraining, and training.

The Shark was the first UL aircraft in history to break the 300 km/h mark in horizontal flight. With a 100-horsepower Rotax 912 ULS engine, it flies over 1,600 km at maximum power and full 150-liter tanks. The Shark is equipped with Glass cockpit with the latest GARMIN G3X and backup G5.

Opportunities for F AIR Pilots

Quick Retraining: For PPL / CPL licensed pilots, F AIR offers the possibility of quick retraining to the SHARK 600 type. This is a great opportunity for those who want to expand their skills and gain experience with this innovative and powerful aircraft.

ULL license in F AIR: You have the opportunity to obtain a ULL license, which will open the door to the world of ultralight flying. After obtaining the license, it is also possible to retrain on the aircraft SHARK 600.

Source: F AIR
Photo Credit: F AIR

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Training Aircraft Manufacturer Elixir Aircraft Appointed One of the Winners of the French Tech 2030 Program

At the Vivatech trade show, the French government, through the ministers Bruno Le Maire, Jean-Noël Barrot, Roland Lescure and Sylvie Retailleau, announced the appointment of Elixir Aircraft as one of the winners of the first French Tech 2030 program.

At the forefront of the fight against climate change with its SAF (sustainable Aviation Fuel) and hydrogen-powered training aircraft, manufacturer Elixir Aircraft is very proud to announce its selection as one of the winners of the French Tech 2030 program.

During the presentation of the French Tech Next40/FT120 program last February, the President of the French Republic expressed his wish to strengthen public support for around a hundred innovative companies, against a backdrop of particularly aggressive international competition. The aim is to increase risk-taking and the share of emerging players. To achieve this ambition, the French Tech 2030 program was launched.

Following a rigorous selection process led by the General Secretary of Investments, in charge of France 2030, in conjunction with all government departments and Bpifrance, Elixir Aircraft stood out from over 840 applicants, demonstrating remarkable potential in one of France 2030’s key sectors.

Criteria are based on the following points:

Breakthrough innovation: Elixir offers a range of 4th-generation training aircraft with  SAF and hydrogen low-carbon engines. Elixir Aircraft’s innovation already reduces CO2 emissions by 70% compared with the current training fleet.

An international market with high concern and potential: Elixir Aircraft is focusing on replacing the 160,000 fleet of training and leisure aircraft produced in the 60s and 70s.

A business model based on strong short- and medium-term growth: Elixir Aircraft has booked +300 orders, pre-orders and letters of intent in less than 3 years on the market.

A strategic vision for the company: With a short-, medium- and long-term vision of the decarbonization of aviation, Elixir Aircraft is massively committed to the fight against climate change, while guaranteeing the economic sustainability of light aircraft operators.

Assessing the need for government support: Launching a certified aeronautics business in France requires substantial investment, and government support is vital in this sector.

French Tech 2030 winners will have access to:

  • A unique program of emerging players to raise companies’ profile with talent, investors and customers (as with the Next40).
  • Support for public funding with Bpifrance, to mobilize all France 2030 funding, not only to support projects, but also to accelerate them and increase their size;
  • Support for product marketing, with meetings with potential customers, not only public purchasers, but also major groups, ETIs, etc., as well as regulatory marketing procedures;
  • Support for private financing, with meetings with private financiers (funds, banks, IPOs), Next40 experience sharing, workshops, etc.
  • Support for links with research organizations, to help them collaborate with the best researchers.

About Elixir Aircraft

Elixir Aircraft, a company headquartered in La Rochelle, France, with nearly 100 employees, was founded in 2015 to meet the challenges of global light aviation.

The French company’s objective: to manufacture safer, more economical and more versatile aircraft. Complexity is the reason why today’s aircraft suffer from failures (technical or human), and are costly to operate (fuel consumption and maintenance).

Elixir Aircraft uses a technology from the world of competitive sailing, the Carbon Oneshot, to simplify structures. More simplicity means fewer failures, so greater safety, but also less maintenance, and lower costs (estimates of €40/h fuel and maintenance).

At the end of 2021, Elixir Aircraft opened a new production site in Périgny, Charente Maritime, to internalize all carbon parts production.

Elixir Aircraft in Figures:

  • 4th-generation two-seater aircraft certified EASA CS-23 since 2020 
  • 100 employees, including more than 70 hired since the first quarter of 2021
  • Two production sites in France, one of 2300m², the other of 2000m²
  • +70 aircraft on firm order
  • +140 avions en pré-commande et letttres d’intention aux Etats-Unis et en Europe

Source: Elixir Aircraft Press Release
Photo Credit: Elixir Aircraft (shown as meta image)

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Aircraft Manufacturer Tecnam to Postpone the P-Volt (Electric) Aircraft Program

After three years of intensive studies covering the entire lifecycle of an all-electric aircraft, Tecnam has concluded that the time for P-Volt is not yet ripe, although research activities will continue to explore new emerging technologies.

Since the beginning of the P-Volt development, Tecnam’s focus has been to provide operators with the ability to fly an all-electric passenger aircraft profitably, efficiently and sustainably in terms of operating costs, emissions, performance, turnaround and time to market. At present, Tecnam believes that these can only be achieved by extremely aggressive speculation on uncertain technology developments.

Tecnam has a deep understanding of electric flight, gained from previous projects such as the H3ps hybrid aircraft based on the P2010 four-seater, and today Tecnam looked closely at the state of the art in energy storage and realistic 5 year developments, excluding technological revolutions that no one can speculate on. One of the conclusions was that an aircraft with a battery pack at the end of its life would not be the best product for the market, but certainly the worst in terms of Net Present Value (NPV).

The proliferation of aircraft with “new” batteries would lead to unrealistic mission profiles that would quickly degrade after a few weeks of operation, making the all-electric passenger aircraft a mere “Green Transition flagship” rather than a real player in the decarbonisation of aviation. Taking into account the most optimistic projections of slow charge cycles and the possible limitation of the maximum charge level per cycle, the real storage capacity would fall below 170Wh/kg, and only a few hundred flights would drive operators to replace the entire storage unit, with a dramatic increase in direct operating costs due to the reserves for battery replacement prices.

With dozens of EASA and FAA certifications, Tecnam is the most active General Aviation manufacturer in the world with the highest number of new type certifications in recent years. The company’s mission has always been to design and manufacture products with the highest value for money in terms of efficiency, CO2 emissions, operating costs and profitability. Today, Tecnam believes that these key factors cannot define a new aircraft development as “viable” with a target entry into service by 2026-2028.

Tecnam is constantly and closely monitoring the evolution of technologies capable of achieving net-zero emissions targets, working with the leading manufacturers of propulsion systems and providing them with direction and guidance, ready to bring the P-Volt back into the type certification arena as soon as technology evolution allows.

Fabio Russo, Tecnam’s Chief R&D Officer said: “We don’t feel attracted by the “2026“ stream or any Electric Rush. It has always been our culture to commit to achievable goals with customers and operators, and we intend to keep that promise. We hope that new technologies will make businesses viable sooner rather than later, and we have real confidence in our partners’ ability to bring highly valuable products to the zero-emission powertrain and energy storage arena.”

Source: Tecnam Press Release
Photo Credit: Tecnam (shown as meta image)

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