Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft developer Ascendance has selected Safran Electrical &amp; Power’s EngineUS electric motor to power its Atea prototype. A pair of EngineUS electric motors will provide more than 100 kilowatts to drive Atea’s two horizontal propellers during cruise flight as part of the French start-up's Sterna propulsion architecture, which also includes eight ducted fans for vertical flight.
Ascendance has started ground testing at its facilities in Muret, France, where it is integrating the EngineUS into the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-01-20/ascendance-plans-fly-full-scale-atea-evtol-prototype-year">Atea hybrid-electric propulsion system</a>. The company will also validate the performance of the Safran motor system and test integration of new technologies at the Muret facility as it works towards a first flight for the Atea in 2026 and type certification in 2029.
“Safety is central to our program, particularly the first of our flight tests to be conducted with a pilot on board,” said Ascendance CEO Jean-Christophe Lambert. “This collaboration with Safran Electrical &amp; Power…is an opportunity for us to benefit from their expertise in performance and safety, as well as the performance of the EngineUS motors.”&nbsp;
Safran's EngineUS motors incorporates power and control electronics, as well as air providing cooling. The family of motors have been selected by other new aircraft developers including VoltAero, Aura Aero, Electra Aero, Diamond Aircraft, Bye Aerospace and TCab Tech.
<figure role="group" class="caption caption-img">
<img alt="Safran EngineUs electric motor" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bb257e3b-8fd9-482e-ab3a-28cd7aa35530" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Moteur%20electrique%20ENGINeUS%20%20%C2%A9Anthony%20Guerra%20-%20Safran.png" width="700" height="444" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Safran's EngineUs electric motor has completed EASA type certification. (Safran)</figcaption>
</figure>

“This announcement, which comes after <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2025-02-04/easa-certifies-safrans-125-kilowatt-engineus-100-electric">EASA certification</a> of our EngineUS motor…is a result of several months of technical collaboration between our two companies in the Occitanie French region,” said Agnès Pronost Gilles, executive v-p and general manager of the Power Division of Safran Electrical &amp; Power.
The Atea will carry a pilot and four passengers on flights of almost 220 nm and with a cruise speed of 109 knots. With a payload of around 990 pounds, Ascendance said the aircraft will generate 75% less noise and 80% fewer carbon emissions than current helicopters.
&nbsp;

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