ENAC Orders 30 Elixir Training Aircraft for Fleet Renewal
The École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC), Europe’s leading aeronautical university, has placed an order for 30 aircraft from French manufacturer Elixir Aircraft, marking a significant fleet renewal just days before the Paris Air Show 2025. Elixir Aircraft confirmed the deal on June 12, 2025, stating that the deliveries will take place between 2026 and 2027 as part of ENAC’s strategy to modernize its Visual Flight Rules (VFR) training fleet.
ENAC’s Managing Director, Olivier Chansou, emphasized that this major acquisition supports the school’s broader commitment to driving aviation toward a more sustainable future. “One of ENAC’s missions is to support the transformation of the air transport sector towards more sustainable aviation, and the major fleet renewal operation, with the support of our supervisory authority, is part of this strategy,” Chansou stated. This investment reflects ENAC’s ongoing role in training future pilots while aligning its operations with the aviation industry’s increasing focus on reducing emissions.
The Elixir aircraft selected for ENAC’s new fleet is a fourth-generation training aircraft featuring an advanced Carbon OneShot aerostructure. This innovative design uses only nine parts, completely eliminating the need for rivets or glue, which simplifies manufacturing and enhances structural strength. In addition to its lightweight, all-composite frame, the aircraft is powered by a highly fuel-efficient engine that delivers a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional piston-powered trainers. Its low operating cost of just €50 per hour makes it an ideal solution for flight schools with frequent training cycles.
Arthur Léopold-Léger, Co-founder and President of Elixir Aircraft, celebrated the contract as a major milestone for the company. “This contract is the reward for ten years of work in the design, certification, and industrialization of our aircraft,” Léopold-Léger said. “We look forward to meeting the first ENAC pilots trained on the Elixir in a few years.” The order from ENAC further strengthens Elixir Aircraft’s growing reputation in the global flight training market.
Elixir Aircraft, founded in 2015 by three engineers, has rapidly expanded its presence since receiving EASA certification for its 100-horsepower two-seat model in 2020. To date, 35 Elixir aircraft produced at the company’s La Rochelle facility are already in service across Europe. The manufacturer currently holds 300 orders in its growing backlog, reflecting increasing demand from flight schools prioritizing sustainable, efficient, and affordable training solutions.
Beyond ENAC, Elixir Aircraft’s customer base includes several well-known private training schools. These operators include the Airbus Flight Academy in France, Leading Edge Aviation in the UK and Spain, Fife Flight Centre in Scotland, and Egnatia Aviation in Greece. The aircraft’s combination of cutting-edge technology, low operating costs, and environmental benefits has positioned it as a strong competitor in the evolving flight training market.
As the Paris Air Show 2025 approaches, the ENAC order underscores how newer aircraft designs like the Elixir are helping modernize pilot training while advancing the aviation industry’s transition to greener, more cost-effective operations.
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