Safran Electrical & Power "marks a milestone in aviation history": the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the ENGINeUS 100, the first electric engine designed to power aircraft intended for new air mobility. Obtaining the document comes after an intense four-year campaign, which included 1,500 hours of certification tests and over 100 hours of real flights. The process required close collaboration between Safran and EASA to define specific airworthiness rules for electric propulsion, and to establish the most appropriate assessment and certification methods.

As the manufacturer explains in a note, the engine is the result of a project that combines a series of technological innovations. Its main features include: power and control electronics, integrated directly into the engine; compactness and lightness that facilitate its integration into different propulsion architectures; air cooling system, which eliminates the need for complex systems; a maximum power of 125 kW, with an exceptional weight/power ratio of 5 kW/kg.

Thanks to these characteristics, the engine is suitable for various applications, namely: fully electric propulsion for small aircraft with 2-4 passengers; hybrid-electric systems for regional aircraft with up to 19 passengers; hybrid-electric systems for future generations of commercial aircraft capable of carrying up to 150 passengers.

Safran is preparing to mass produce the ENGINeUS range, with the start-up of four semi-automated production lines in France (Niort) and the UK (Pitstone). These plants will be operational by 2026, with an initial capacity of over 1,000 engines per year, which can be increased to meet growing demand.

Several aircraft manufacturers for new air mobility have already chosen the ENGINeUS range or the GENeUS motor generators from French industry. Partners include companies such as Aura Aero, Bye Aerospace, Diamond Aircraft, Electra, TCab Tech and VoltAero. The certification of the ENGINeUS 100 therefore represents a decisive step towards the launch of the first aircraft on the market.