Aircraft
VoltAero Ready To Validate Hybrid-electric Demonstrator
Team led by ex-Airbus tech boss is taking a conservative approach, developing redundant-propulsion technology using a Cessna 337 testbed.
The VoltAero hybrid-electric iron bird test rig.
The VoltAero hybrid-electric iron bird test rig.

French company VoltAero, led by former Airbus CTO Jean Botti, has started phase 1 tests to validate its hybrid-electric aircraft systems with a new iron bird test rig and a flying “prototype,” each based on a converted Cessna 337 Skymaster. The initiative could lead to quiet and efficient aircraft carrying between four and nine passengers. The company hopes that the reduced noise levels will help placate many airport authorities where conventional aircraft are being shunned due to noise—at Toussus-le-Noble near Paris, for example.