Partnership Formed to Explore VTOL Maintenance Solutions

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will see AFI and Ascendance explore potential collaborations in line maintenance, component repair, mechanics training and airworthiness management By Joe Macey / 23 Oct 2022
Follow AAMi

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) and Ascendance Flight Technologies have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the field of electrically powered aircraft and sustainable aviation.

This agreement will allow the two companies to explore potential collaborations in the coming months in four main areas, line maintenance, component repair, mechanics training and airworthiness management.

AFI believes its experience as an airline-MRO will be able to assist the young aircraft maker’s questions about the issues and challenges involved in developing maintenance policies that are operationally and financially efficient.

Jean-Christophe Lambert, Co-founder and CEO of Ascendance, said: “We are honored to receive this signal of interest from a major player in the field of aircraft maintenance. In parallel with our efforts to develop a new type of aircraft, it is very important for us to prepare the future of its operations today, in conjunction with the best experts in our industry. Maintenance is obviously at the center of our customers’ concerns and this collaboration with AFI KLM E&M is a major step towards providing them reliable solutions.”

Géry Mortreux, EVP Air France Industries, added: “At AFI KLM E&M, we have always been on the lookout for the best innovations in aviation. In particular, we are very interested in electric and hydride electric propulsion technologies, which are set to be future business drivers over the next decade. I believe that this type of cooperation is in the general interest and is a further illustration of the general mobilization of our industry to decarbonize aviation – a collective effort in which AFI KLM E&M is of course fully involved.”

Ascendance is currently working on a VTOL project, Atea, consisting of a 5-seat aircraft with a 400 km range thanks to Sterna propulsion architecture also developed by the start-up, a distributed hybrid electric motorization, with a modular energetic approach to accept conventional fuel, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) up to Hydrogen. Certification activities on these technologies are believed to have started and an Atea prototype is expected to achieve its first flight in 2023.

Posted by Joe Macey Edited by Joseph Macey, Editor and Copywriter and experienced journalist with an active interest in advanced air mobility. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Skyfly Completes First Airfield-to-Airfield eVTOL Flight in Europe

Skyfly Technologies has completed what is reportedly Europe’s first airfield-to-airfield eVTOL flight using its Axe prototype, flying from Turweston to Bicester and back in a round trip

Jul 04, 2025
Eve Air Mobility Partnership to Advance eVTOL Deployment in Costa Rica

Eve Air Mobility and Aerosolutions are partnering to bring eVTOL aircraft and infrastructure to Costa Rica, advancing sustainable air travel and regional connectivity

Jul 03, 2025
Joby Advances Air Taxi Launch with Piloted Flights in Dubai

Joby Aviation has begun commercial readiness efforts in Dubai, completing piloted eVTOL flights and advancing plans to launch air taxi services by 2026

Jul 02, 2025
Wisk Collaborates on Air Taxi Infrastructure & Research in Florida

Wisk Aero has partnered with the Miami-Dade Aviation Department and the University of Miami to advance autonomous air taxi operations and supporting infrastructure in the region

Jul 01, 2025
SkyDrive Partners to Design & Manufacture Pilot Control Stick System

SkyDrive collaborates with Stirling Dynamics to develop pilot control stick for SKYDRIVE SD-05 production eVTOL aircraft

Jun 30, 2025
Foil-Mode Testing Conducted on Seaglider Prototype

REGENT Craft's 12-passenger Seaglider underwent foil-mode testing, elevating the vessel from the water before it flies

Jun 27, 2025