The formal transfer of Egnatia Aviation’s first Elixir flight trainer took place this morning at AERO 2025.
Egnatia’s CEO Dimitris Lymperakis joined Cyril Champenois, Elixir Aircraft’s co-founder and director of sales & marketing, for the formal handover of the first of 12 trainers ordered by the Greek flight training academy.
“We’re delighted to take delivery of our first Elixir at the Aero Friedrichshafen air show. This aircraft meets our operational needs perfectly, as it will give our cadets the same flying experience as that which awaits them in their careers as professional pilots. I would like to thank Elixir Aircraft for meeting the delivery deadline and for this magnificent livery,” said Dimitris Lymperakis.
“This first delivery to Egnatia Aviation is an important step in the growth of Elixir Aircraft. The Elixir aircraft operated by this renowned school will train pilots for more than sixty airlines around the world. I would like to thank Egnatia Aviation for the confidence it has shown in us by renewing its fleet,” said Cyril Champenois.
The occasion marked the third delivery to an ATO outside of France, following on from deliveries last month to Fife Flight Centre in Scotland as well as to UK ATO Leading Edge Aviation’s Spanish training base at Alhama.
The handover to Egnatia Aviation brings total deliveries to 33 aircraft for the fledging French planemaker, which has ambitious growth plans. Headquartered at La Rochelle, Elixir is currently producing in the region of three aircraft per month, aiming to increase this to eight per month based on current production capability. The ultimate aim, says Champenois, is to grow production to 300 airframes per year.
Having started as a three-person company in 2015, operating out of a garage, the company has grown quickly and now employs just under 200 personnel.
According to Champenois, the next stages in the company’s development include achieving EASA/UK CAA IFR certification for its two-seat trainer, followed by development of a turbine powered variant, to be run on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The company is also signing a long-term lease for a reassembly and support plant in Sarasota, Florida, providing an entry point into the North American market and so FAA certification is also a current focus, Champenois added.
Elixir’s two-seat trainer utilises a construction method drawn from the world of competitive sailing known as ‘Carbon Oneshot’. Powered by a 100hp Rotax 912iS, the trainer boasts an operating cost (fuel & maintenance combined) of just £50 per hour, borne out by some 10,000 flight hours completed to date.
Priced north of €300,000, the trainer is likely out of reach of many flying clubs and schools, which is why Elixir has entered into a partnership with Green Aerolease, a French aircraft leasing company specialising in delivering more environmentally responsible training solutions to flight training academies.
