Toulouse, France-based aircraft manufacturer Aura Aero revealed the all-electric version of its two-seater Integral trainer aircraft at the Paris Air Show ahead of its test program, which is expected to start in the coming weeks.
The E is the third variant in the company’s Integral family of aircraft and is designed for, training, aerobatics, and leisure. The company is already making the Integral R, a combustion engine aircraft with taildragger landing gear, and the Integral S, a variant with tricycle landing gear that is expected to begin flight testing in the coming weeks.
The company is also developing the Electric Regional Aircraft (ERA), a hybrid electric 19-seater aircraft with a planned 300 mile (480km) range to enter into service in 2027.
Aura Aero, was founded in 2018 and has more than 300 orders through Letters of Intent.
The Integral E can be charged in less than 30 minutes thanks to its supercharging capabilities and will have a maximum 60-minute flight time. Flight testing of the aircraft is expected to start before the end of this year with first deliveries in 2025.
The Integral aircraft have a fuselage made from a wood-carbon hybrid material which the company says provide lightness, resistance and repairability.
Speaking at the Paris Air Show 2023, Jérémy Caussade, president and co-founder of Aura Aero said, “Testing has a focus on the structure – the airplane is designed for short trips with sometimes brutal loads. It’s an evolution of the trainer aircraft type with 800V of power required.”
Also announced at the Paris Air Show was that Safran will provide the powerplant for the Integral E to replace the Lycoming combustion engine used in the other versions. Safran is also partnering with Aura Aero on the propulsion system for the ERA airliner.
In addition, Aura Aero announced a partnership with the Airbus Flight Academy Europe (AFAE), which supplies flight training services to the French Armed Forces and civilian cadets. As part of the agreement, AFAE will partner with Aura Aero to develop the Integral E.
