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.

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Matt Thurber

Elixir Aircraft is expanding its family of two-seat piston single trainers and embarking on a turbine-powered version, as well as a larger airplane. The French manufacturer brought three of its EASA CS-23- and FAA Part 23-certified trainers this week to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, one of which Elixir president Arthur Léopold-Léger flew across the Atlantic Ocean to the airshow.
For the past year, Elixir has been flying a demonstrator equipped with a Turbotech TP-R90 turboprop engine. The first engine start took place in February 2025, with the inaugural flight following four months later.
Elixir and Turbotech recently signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the program to bring a turbine-powered Elixir to market. Under the agreement, the companies will work on aircraft integration and development activities and launch of the EASA and FAA certification programs. Service entry is expected by 2030.
"After a year of highly encouraging flight testing, we are now reaching a major milestone,” said Léopold-Léger. “The Elixir Turbine will complement our new aircraft lineup and provide professional operators with a solution combining ease of operation, exceptionally low operating costs, maximum aircraft availability, and compatibility with sustainable aviation fuel.”
Since last year, Elixir has doubled the production rate of the trainer, targeting 60 to 100 per year. So far, the company has delivered 63 airplanes in Europe and the U.S., primarily for flight school customers.
A month ago, Elixir raised a fresh round of funding: $50 million to finance expansion of production and a new facility in Sarasota, Florida, according to chief marketing officer Cyril Champenois. Now the Elixir family consists of three airplanes for the training market.
First is the Essential, a basic model for pilot training, and this is the version that is bein shown at AirVenture. An Expert version will feature Garmin Axis avionics and be capable of instrument flight training. Both piston singles are powered by a 100-hp Rotax engine.
The most advanced version will be the Elite, with a 140-hp turbocharged Rotax 915 iS that makes it more suited for hot-and-high operations. With a cruise speed of 150 to 160 knots, the Elite will allow for advanced pilot training as pilots need to learn how to fly at faster speeds to prepare for jobs at airlines, corporate flight departments, or charter operations, Champenois said.
Meanwhile, the Sarasota facility will enable Elixir to expand its support activities as more of its aircraft are delivered in the U.S. The company has placed a field representative in Sarasota, along with spare parts. The site is also where Elixir aircraft will be reassembled after shipment from France, and Elixir will add tools, more personnel, and training to facilitate that activity.
Elixir didn’t reveal details of its planned larger airplane, but Champenois explained that, as the trainer program matures, engineers at the company need new programs to work on. “We have a strong design office of 20 people who are very skilled in every domain, he explained. "If you want to keep them active, this is an important step for us. That's the starting point of a long journey. We’ll say a bit more in the coming months.”

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