Following its recent US $50 million fund raising and its last year FAA Part 23 certification in July 2025, Elixir Aircraft, manufacturer of the fourth-generation training aircraft, is entering a new phase of its U.S. expansion. Three Elixir have just been delivered to two flight schools in Florida and Arizona. With North America headquarters, the French manufacturer is reaffirming its ambitions in the world’s largest flight training market. For its fifth appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Elixir Aircraft is showcasing three aircraft, two of those ferried to the event, from La Rochelle (France) to Oshkosh, through the North Atlantic route.
Across the North Atlantic: First Elixir Delivered to the USA
The first Elixir delivered to the United States marked a defining milestone in the company’s history. Flown by Arthur Léopold-Léger, co-founder and CEO of Elixir Aircraft, this remarkable ferry flight followed the legendary North Atlantic route under VFR, departing from La Rochelle and crossing Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, and Canada before continuing south to Florida and ultimately Arizona.
More than a delivery mission, this transatlantic adventure showcased the reliability of the Elixir. Successfully completing one of the world’s most demanding ferry routes under visual flight rules is a powerful demonstration of the aircraft’s robust design and operational capabilities, opening a new chapter for Elixir Aircraft on the North American market.
The Elixir Takes Flight in the United States
Obtaining FAA Part 23 certification enabled Elixir Aircraft to begin marketing its aircraft in the U.S. Two aircraft have been delivered to Cirrus Aviation in Florida, while a third has recently joined Sierra Charlie Aviation’s fleet in Arizona. The two flight schools have ordered 10 and 100 Elixir respectively, as part of an order book totaling 300 aircraft, mainly in the United States.
Ongoing commercial discussions, particularly those initiated at AirVenture, are also continuing to convert into firm orders and letters of intent, confirming market interest in an aircraft designed specifically for modern pilot training. Sixty Elixir are already flying in Europe, where production capacity is increasing.
A Fully Operational Local Organization
To support its customers over the long term, Elixir Aircraft has established a comprehensive local organization.
Aircraft manufactured in La Rochelle, France, are reassembled at the company’s facility in Sarasota, Florida, before being delivered to U.S. customers. After this, the fleet is supported by a local technical support team and a well stocked dedicated spare parts inventory. Together, these resources enable Elixir Aircraft to provide first operators with responsive local support and high aircraft availability, while expanding its local footprint for the U.S. market.
“Our strategy is to grow wherever our customers are. In the United States, where fleet renewal is accelerating, this means being able to deliver aircraft quickly, provide day-to-day customer support, and ensure maximum aircraft availability. Today, we are delivering on all three commitments,” said Arthur Léopold-Léger, President and Co-founder of Elixir Aircraft.
Elixir: The Fourth Generation of Training Aircraft
Certified by EASA in 2020 and by the FAA in 2025, the Elixir single-engine, two-seat aircraft ushered in the fourth generation of pilot training aircraft. Thanks to its full carbon-fiber one-piece airframe, built using Carbon OneShot technology inspired by offshore racing yachts, its fuel-efficient engine, and a design optimized for simplified maintenance and an almost unlimited service life, it offers one of the lowest operating costs in its class while delivering a high level of safety through standard equipment, including an airframe parachute, enhanced stall characteristics, and crash-resistant fuel tank. These features also make it an environmentally responsible training platform, reducing CO₂ emissions by 70% compared with previous-generation aircraft. Today, 60 Elixir aircraft are in service with flight schools across Europe. In April 2026, the increased-payload version was introduced under the name Elixir+.
One of the Elixir on its ferry flight from France to the United States, pictured over Iceland.
Photo : Audric Hanley.
About Elixir Aircraft
Founded in 2015, Elixir Aircraft is a French aircraft manufacturer created to address the challenges facing the global light aviation industry. Headquartered in La Rochelle, France, with operations in Sarasota, Florida, the company employs 240 people.
Elixir Aircraft designs and manufactures a fourth-generation, two-seat aircraft certified under EASA CS-23 since 2020 and FAA Part 23 since 2025. The Elixir features Carbon OneShot technology—a one-piece carbon-fiber manufacturing process inspired by competitive sailing—which simplifies the airframe structure to enhance safety while reducing maintenance requirements and operating costs (approximately US$50 per flight hour for fuel and maintenance).
Today, 60 Elixir aircraft are in service, and the company has an order backlog of more than 300 aircraft, including firm orders, pre-orders, and letters of intent.
In June 2023, the President of the French Republic announced a €13 million grant for Elixir Aircraft. In June 2025, the company was selected by ENAC (the French National School of Civil Aviation) to renew its VFR training fleet. In April 2026, Elixir Aircraft introduced the Elixir+, an enhanced version of its aircraft featuring increased payload capacity. In July 2026, the company secured a €45 million funding round to launch the Equinox program, paving the way for a new aircraft.
Contact Presse
pascale.nizet@ozelys.aero
+33 6 03 74 18 42
