Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CASSIO (CASSIO - Hybrid Electric Modular General Aviation Aircraft)
Période du rapport: 2021-09-01 au 2023-06-30
VOLTAERO has developed the first in the world parallel and series distributed hybrid propulsion system that will power a family of general aviation aircraft, CASSIO, with the seating capacity of four to ten passengers.
Regional travel route links are not optimally covered by existing transportation means. 85% of air traffic in the EU is concentrated in 43 of 2,570 airports, leaving 90% of the population without a hub within 120km, and over 2,500 community airports underutilized. Environmental concerns are growing. Countries are increasingly demanding air transportation solutions that generate less emissions and operate with lower noise, particularly in Europe.
The Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft offers a new mode of regional transportation that accesses more communities in less time, enhances mobility and alleviates road congestion problems–all in a safe and environmentally friendly way, at lower cost, without need for the massive, inflexible infrastructure.
Regional travel route links are not optimally covered by existing transportation means. 85% of air traffic in the EU is concentrated in 43 of 2,570 airports, leaving 90% of the population without a hub within 120km, and over 2,500 community airports underutilized. Environmental concerns are growing. Countries are increasingly demanding air transportation solutions that generate less emissions and operate with lower noise, particularly in Europe.
The Cassio hybrid-electric aircraft offers a new mode of regional transportation that accesses more communities in less time, enhances mobility and alleviates road congestion problems–all in a safe and environmentally friendly way, at lower cost, without need for the massive, inflexible infrastructure.
Today, the project has led to (non-exhaustive list):
- The development of the CASSIO aerostructure with the achievement of a COR milestone
- The design and development of a new tri-surface aerodynamics with CFD model and analysis, design and manufacture of a wind tunnel mockup, installation and calibration of the mockup into the wind tunnel test vein
- The selection of suppliers of major systems through benchmark analysis, performance models and simulation and technical specification as well as Top Level Aircraft Requirement (TLAR) establishment
- Systems integration study through CAD modelling and ICD (Interface Control Document) establishment
- 1D multi-physics model allowing performance analysis on typical flight mission profiles
- Operational costs simulation and comparison with typical transportation means (train, car)
- The development of the CASSIO aerostructure with the achievement of a COR milestone
- The design and development of a new tri-surface aerodynamics with CFD model and analysis, design and manufacture of a wind tunnel mockup, installation and calibration of the mockup into the wind tunnel test vein
- The selection of suppliers of major systems through benchmark analysis, performance models and simulation and technical specification as well as Top Level Aircraft Requirement (TLAR) establishment
- Systems integration study through CAD modelling and ICD (Interface Control Document) establishment
- 1D multi-physics model allowing performance analysis on typical flight mission profiles
- Operational costs simulation and comparison with typical transportation means (train, car)
At this stage, CASSIO program increased the knowledge of technological building blocks of hybrid aircraft such as a flying 600kW hybrid power modulus, a full cockpit supervising all the power units, flying prototypes of electric motor including their characterization under battery pack feeding, integration of a lightweight thermal engine operating as a range extender and flying demonstration of patented serial/parallel hybridization concept.
In terms of impact, CASSIO aircraft will offer flexible point-to-point regional operations (passengers and cargo) –using the infrastructure of smaller regional airports, with lower noise level allowing 24/7 operations without disturbing local communities –will replace a significant volume of automobile trips, thus reducing road congestion and emissions. Hybrid aviation is a first step to a zero-emission pure electric air transport. It brings already the significant results into the global fight against the climate change.
In terms of impact, CASSIO aircraft will offer flexible point-to-point regional operations (passengers and cargo) –using the infrastructure of smaller regional airports, with lower noise level allowing 24/7 operations without disturbing local communities –will replace a significant volume of automobile trips, thus reducing road congestion and emissions. Hybrid aviation is a first step to a zero-emission pure electric air transport. It brings already the significant results into the global fight against the climate change.