Unveiling of Elixir+ Trainer by French Manufacturer at AERO 2026
At the 2026 AERO Friedrichshafen airshow in Germany, French aircraft manufacturer, Elixir Aircraft, revealed a significant upgrade to its flagship training aircraft. The newly introduced Elixir+ boasts over 10 modifications, specifically designed to enhance its performance as a flight trainer.
Key enhancements to the Elixir+ include:
- Enlarged winglets for improved spin resistance
- Redesigned landing gear for superior landing characteristics
- Modified exhaust system
- UV-blocking canopy
- An increased maximum takeoff weight from 630kg to 700kg, thereby increasing payload capacity to 270kg. This allows operators to carry two pilots with full fuel without compromising performance.
The Greek flight training academy, Global Aviation, is the inaugural European customer, committing to an initial order of five Elixir+ trainers for deployment at its Ikaros Airport facility north of Athens. As per Cyril Champenois, the company co-founder, there are currently 55 Elixir trainers in service across Europe. Production has scaled from eight aircraft per year to 16 in the last six months of 2025 alone.
With plans for first deliveries scheduled for early summer 2026, the company is gearing up to enter the US market. This move is supported by plans for expanded facilities in France and a new reassembly and delivery facility in Sarasota, Florida.
Source: FTN Online