AURA AERO Opens First of Two Massive Production Sites for the ERA

French aircraft manufacturer AURA AERO has officially cut the ribbon on its first US production site at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park in Daytona Beach, Florida. The 11,000-square-foot facility will house the INTEGRAL trainer program and the future launchpad for its 19-seat hybrid-electric regional aircraft, the ERA.

The company plans to build its first American-assembled aircraft at the new site, starting with the INTEGRAL line: a two-seat, aerobatic-capable trainer available in both piston and all-electric versions. The aircraft recently earned European certification and has FAA approval in the works. With a growing appetite for modern, efficient trainers nationwide, AURA AERO believes the US will be a key growth driver.

“The opening of AURA AERO’s headquarters at Embry-Riddle’s Research Park marks a significant milestone in our collaboration with an innovative company shaping the future of sustainable aviation,” said Embry-Riddle President Barry Butler. “AURA AERO’s presence enhances our research ecosystem and offers unparalleled opportunities for students and faculty to engage directly with next-generation electric and hybrid-electric aircraft.”

AURA AERO’s long-term plans extend far beyond the training market. By 2028, the company expects to open a second, 500,000-square-foot facility in Florida dedicated to assembling the ERA, which it touts as the ‘world’s first’ hybrid-electric regional aircraft. The aircraft, designed to carry 19 passengers, already has more than 650 letters of intent worth an estimated $10.5 billion. Roughly one-third of those orders are from US customers.

Florida state officials are backing the project heavily. The state’s aerospace development agency, Space Florida, helped secure the investment and expects over a thousand new high-skill jobs to sprout as a result.

“Florida has long been a leader in aeronautics and space, and the technical expertise of its workforce is a tremendous asset in asserting our leadership in the electric and hybrid-electric aviation sectors,” added Jeremy Caussade, President and co-founder of AURA AERO. “The State of Florida, Space Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have always believed in us and supported us from the beginning in this project, which is now coming to fruition.”

FMI: www.aura-aero.com