VoltAero Orders 30 Cassio 330 Electric-Hybrid Aircraft for Flight Training

VoltAero has signed an agreement for 15 Cassio 330 electric-hybrid aircraft, and an option for another 15, to be acquired by HM Aerospace Sdn Bhd for pilot training at Malaysia’s premier flight academy after EASA certification and validation by the Civil Aviation Authorities of Malaysia.

This agreement, formalized at the Paris Air Show, expands the use of VoltAero’s Cassio electric-hybrid airplanes—together with Halim Mazmin Group—to training for professional pilots and extends it over the Asia-Pacific region.

It also establishes a strategic relationship with the Halim Mazmin Group of companies, whose business interests cover shipping, aviation, education, hospitality and tourism. The relationship will lead to the establishment of an ecosystem that serves the electric-hybrid aviation sector in Malaysia and across the Asia-Pacific region.

Participating in today’s signing ceremony at Le Bourget Airport were Jean Botti, VoltAero’s CEO & chief technology officer, and Tan Sri Halim Mohammad, founding director of the Halim Mazmin Group.

The milestone was witnessed by Alain Rousset, president of France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Nouvelle-Aquitaine was one of the original financial backers of VoltAero, and the region is home to the Cassio industrial and final assembly facility at Rochefort Airport that was inaugurated last November.

With the HM Aerospace agreement, VoltAero’s Cassio backlog has expanded to more than 280 orders, agreements and commitments with customers focused on the regional air transportation, air mobility and business aviation sectors.  

“VoltAero looks forward to our long-term relationship with HM Aerospace and the Halim Mazmin Group as we join together in introducing and supporting a new era of aviation training with the Cassio 330,” Botti said.

Tan Sri Halim added, “The Halim Mazmin Group of companies share a common vision with VoltAero of applying innovation and excellence while adapting to the fast-changing business environment today, and tomorrow. By bringing the Cassio 330 into the HM Aerospace aircraft fleet, we will be utilizing airplanes that are advanced and highly eco-efficient to train the next generation of professional pilots.”

In its training role, the Cassio 330 brings together its twin-engine electric-hybrid design with a new-generation avionics suite that features large tactile cockpit flight instrumentation.

VoltAero’s Cassio 330 production design uses a series-hybrid architecture, integrating “pusher” electric motors on each side of the aft fuselage and a thermal engine inside the aircraft that serves as a range extender by recharging the onboard batteries.

During taxi, takeoff and initial flight phases, the Cassio 330 operates on all-electric propulsion for eco-efficient and quiet operations. The thermal engine recharges the batteries during cruise flight as a range extender.