VoltAero Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Makes Landmark Flight Fueled by Wine Waste

The company flew its proprietary hybrid-electric powertrain on a demonstrator powered by biofuel produced from vineyard waste.

Jack Daleo

Friday, September 22, 2023 at 02:43 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

VoltAero achieved an industry first by flying a hybrid-electric aircraft powered entirely by Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) derived from waste generated by French vineyards.
This innovative fuel, combined with the aircraft's hybrid-electric powertrain, demonstrated a significant CO2 reduction of approximately 80 percent compared to standard aviation fuels.
The successful flight validates VoltAero's powertrain with SAF, aiming to streamline airworthiness certification for its upcoming Cassio hybrid aircraft range and contribute to aviation's decarbonization goals.

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According to researchers at the University of California-Davis Department of Food Science and Technology, the equivalent of 3 in 10 grapes initially collected for winemaking end up going to waste. Most aviation companies would see that statistic and think nothing of it.

Royan, France-based VoltAero isn’t most aviation companies. The firm on Thursday announced it completed what it claims is an industry first. This week, it flew a hybrid-electric aircraft powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from partner TotalEnergies Aviation—fuel derived from bioethanol produced from the waste created by French vineyards.