Toulouse, France-based startup Aura Aero has received approval to start manufacturing its first series of aircraft called Integral.
The Part 21 Subpart G approval covers all of the company’s industrial facilities and was mandatory before it could officially launch serial production of the Integral general aviation aircraft family.
The approval was delivered by Guy Tardieu, president of OSAC, the French authority for civil aviation safety, after 18 months of auditing conducted at the Aura Aero’s site at Toulouse-Francazal Airport and Bernay (Air Menuiserie) and at its main subcontractors.
This approval certifies that the production of aircraft parts is compliant with their design and once extended to the whole aircraft will allow the company to start serial assembly activities. The company’s first aircraft is the Integral R, a two-seater, combustion engine aircraft with taildragger landing gear, the first of which will be delivered to two French flying clubs, Midi-Pyrénées Voltige and Dijon Voltige next year.
In the upcoming months, Aura Aero also plans to begin the production of the Integral S, a two-seater, combustion engine aircraft with tricycle landing gear, followed by the Integral E, a two-seater all-electric aircraft.
The company is also developing the Electric Regional Aircraft (ERA), an all-electric 19 seater aircraft with a planned 300 mile (480km) range to enter into service in 2027.
Jérémy Caussade, co-founder and President of Aura Aero said, “In the name of the Aura Aero teams, I am very happy to obtain the Part 21 Subpart G approval for our industrial facilities. This approval marks a new milestone in the history of our company and enables us to officially launch serial production of Integral R, and soon of Integral E and ERA, taking a step forward towards decarbonated aviation.
“The approval validates all of our installation facilities and production processes, which is very important for us as a new aircraft manufacturer, since we can now begin serial production and deliver our first customers.”
Aura Aero was founded in 2018 and employs around 80 people.