French startup VoltAero finalized an agreement with Malaysia's HM Aerospace at the Paris Air Show for 30 Cassio 330 hybrid eVTOLs.
The aircraft will become a central component for pilot training at Malaysia's premier flight academy following certification by regulators in Europe and Malaysia, VoltAero said, noting that the order will expand its footprint into the Asia-Pacific region.
The agreement also cements a strategic partnership between VoltAero and the Halim Mazmin Group, a Malaysian conglomerate of companies focused on shipping, aviation, education, hospitality and tourism. The two companies aim to build a broader ecosystem around hybrid-electric aviation in the Asia-Pacific region, a move that aligns with a growing global demand for electric aviation.
The Cassio 330 is a twin-engine aircraft powered by VoltAero's proprietary hybrid electric propulsion system. The eVTOL has been redesigned to ensure a simpler path to certification. The updated design features two electric motors positioned on the rear fuselage, just in front of a T-tail, each turning a pusher propeller. The motors draw power from an onboard auxiliary power unit and generator housed in the fuselage. The thermal engine recharges its batteries during cruise flight, acting as a range extender.
The signing ceremony was held at Le Bourget Airport at the Paris Air Show. The new deal grows VoltAero's orderbook for the Cassio family beyond 280 aircraft. The startup is showcasing a full-scale model of the Cassio 330 at the air show.