Elixir Aircraft adds to order book at EAA AirVenture

Elixir Aircraft received 80 letters of intent for 110 aircraft at 2024’s EAA AirVenture, the world's largest fly-in, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Additionally, 20 reservation contracts (pre-orders) were also placed. This brings the order book to 330 aircraft, including orders, pre-orders and letters of intent, for all markets combined. With a view to the forthcoming American certification of the Elixir aircraft, representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) came to visit the stand, as well as numerous flight schools (FTO), universities, private pilots, students, and suppliers.

Elixir Aircraft was exhibiting for the third time at EAA AirVenture, with a stand three times bigger than in previous years, in the heart of the area dedicated to aircraft training, a stone's throw from the universities area.

Elixir Aircraft presented two models in its range, the Elixir 100hp for training and the Elixir 140hp for travel. Both met with their markets, including schools and private owners of all profiles, including first-time buyers.

The forthcoming FAA Part-23 certification will allow letters of intent to be transformed into reservation contracts, enabling the customer to obtain a serial number on the production line. Two American flight schools, Cirrus Aviation and Sierra Charlie, which have signed their letters of intent for 2023, are at the top of the waiting list.

The meeting with the FAA was eagerly awaited. During the week, several representatives of the American civil aviation authority, at all levels of decision-making, came to meet Elixir Aircraft. They were able to see for themselves the high level of reliability and safety of the aircraft.

With a view to opening the reassembly plant in Sarasota, Florida, in spring 2025, Elixir Aircraft also met its main suppliers, who were also exhibiting at AirVenture, including Beringer, MT Propellers, Rotax, Garmin, and BRS. Other potential partners have also been approached to set up the local spare parts stock and maintenance.

https://elixir-aircraft.com

Elixir Aircraft has delivered 26 aircraft so far. To keep pace with its accelerating production, the company is expanding its three French sites including home base in La Rochelle, France. A 15,000 m² facility will be built there in 2026. At the same time, Elixir Aircraft is preparing to open its American facility in 2025. Located at the Sarasota Bradenton Airport (SRQ) in Florida, the fully renovated 12,000-square-foot hangar will be mainly devoted to the initial reassembly of aircraft delivered to American customers. A second, 6,000 square foot building, adjacent to the first, will be added in August 2025 to continue the reassembly and to keep a stock of spare parts for the east coast of the United States.

Around 200 people will be employed in Sarasota by 2027, bringing the company's total workforce to 400. They will provide a variety of services to Elixir Aircraft's North American customers, including aircraft administration, assembly and delivery, parts inventory management, and other support.

 Elixir Aircraft uses technology from the world of competitive sailing, the Carbon Oneshot (in one piece), to simplify structures. At the end of 2021, Elixir Aircraft opened a new production site in Périgny, Charente Maritime, to bring production of all carbon parts in-house.

In June 2023, the French President announced a 13-million-euro subsidy for Elixir Aircraft. In early 2024, Elixir Aircraft announced the closing of its development financing for the next 5 years, with a budget of 40 million euros.