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Safran&nbsp;Electrical &amp; Power will supply propulsion systems for a family of new fixed-wing electric aircraft being developed by French start-up Aura Aero. In an April 7 announcement, the&nbsp;companies said the partnership covers the initial Integral E light aircraft and also the planned 19-seat Electric Regional Aircraft (ERA). 
Aura Aero’s two-seat Integral E aerobatic trainer will feature Safran’s smart EngineUs&nbsp;electric motor, capable of generating more than 100 kW, and the GeneUsGrid&nbsp;distribution and protection system. The manufacturer&nbsp;expects the prototype to fly for the first time later&nbsp;in 2022 and anticipates first deliveries&nbsp;in&nbsp;2023.
French aviation authorities last November issued Part 21G approval to Aura Aero, marking the first step toward&nbsp;production of its Integral family of light aircraft. The authorization also cleared the company to advance its longer-term goal to develop the ERA model.
Under a memorandum of understanding, aircraft engines and systems&nbsp;group Safran will also work with the&nbsp;Auro Aero engineering team on the electrical architecture studies for the hybrid-electric ERA. The studies will center on the high direct voltage propulsive architecture to deliver the power needed for the electric engines. The work will also include the “non propulsive” electrical architecture used to power the aircraft’s other systems.&nbsp;
Aura&nbsp;Aero plans to fly the ERA for the first time in 2024, with entry into commercial service now projected for 2027, which is around a year later than the company had previously said. In October 2021, airliner leasing group Amadeo signed a provisional sales agreement covering 200 of the ERAs, which are expected to have a range of around 900 miles.
“In every way, these projects are in line with our strategic aims: they feature breakthrough technologies, have a low-carbon footprint, and are electrically powered,” said the general manager and executive vice president of the power division of Safran Electrical &amp; Power, Hervé Blanc. “This agreement bolsters our position as a key player in the fields of equipment electrification and electric and hybrid propulsion. It also marks two Toulouse-based companies—both firmly established in the Occitanie region's industrial fabric—working together.”
France-based Safran is now vying directly with UK rival Rolls-Royce to provide propulsion for new electric aircraft. Working through its CFM International joint venture with GE Aviation, the company is also involved in plans to develop hydrogen powertrains for new zero-carbon airliners&nbsp;Airbus plans to bring to market from 2035.
Aura Aero co-founder and chief programs officer Wilfried Dufaud stressed the value of Safran’s contribution to the project, calling the collaboration “essential” for meeting its timeframe goals. “As part of the joint aim to industrialize the production of electric aircraft, Safran is providing its rare expertise in high-voltage networks, which is needed for the Integral E and ERA architectures,” he said. “This collaboration is evidence of our shared determination to decarbonize the aviation sector.”

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Safran Starts Work on Propulsion Systems for Aura Aero's Electric Aircraft Family

French aviation authorities have issued Part 21G approval to start-up Aura Aero, marking the first step toward&nbsp;production of its Integral family of light aircraft. The authorization clears the way for the company to advance its longer-term goal to develop the 19-seat Electrical Regional Aircraft.
The Part 21G approval certifies that parts produced by Aura Aero comply with their design specifications. The company is now seeking clearance to build complete aircraft, with production initially focused on the piston-powered Integral R two-seater, tail-dragger design, which has been ordered by two French flying clubs.
According to the Toulouse-based company, it will soon start production of the Integral S model, which is also piston-powered and with a tricycle landing gear. The company&nbsp;intends to make a first flight with the electric-powered Integral E model in 2022.
Earlier this year, Aura Aero opened a 38,000-sq-ft&nbsp;manufacturing facility in a former French air force hangar. It says that it already holds orders for 50 examples of the Integral E, mainly from flight-training organizations and aerobatic clubs. 
The company has not yet finalized the projected performance for the ERA model but believes that the market likely needs an aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of around 8.5 metric tons (18,700 pounds) and a range of up to around 900 miles. It plans to use a hybrid-electric propulsion system for the airliner since current battery technology would limit its range to no more than 250 miles and this would be further limited by the need to have 45 minutes of power reserves for safety margins. 
Aura Aero says it will have a prototype ready to start test flights in 2024. Early concept drawings show an aircraft with six sets of propellers on the wing.&nbsp;
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Safran Starts Work on Propulsion Systems for Aura Aero's Electric Aircraft Family

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