Aircraft manufacturer AURA AERO has cut the ribbon on an 11,000 sq. ft facility at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park that will serve as its U.S. headquarters and first production site.

The campus will host the North American Delivery and Customer Support Center for the INTEGRAL program and lay the groundwork for the company’s hybrid-electric ERA aircraft.

The initial production line will build the INTEGRAL family of two-seater, aerobatic-capable training aircraft — offered first with a Lycoming piston engine and subsequently in a 100% electric version.

The U.S. is the largest training market in the world, with nearly 600 FAA-approved flight schools, over 75,000 pilots and a growing demand for modern, cost-effective training aircraft with aerobatic capabilities, and is therefore a major market for INTEGRAL.

Recently certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and with FAA certification underway, the INTEGRAL family offers an advanced, efficient solution for both traditional and electric flight training, making it a strong contender in the U.S. market.

In 2028, AURA AERO plans to open a 500,000 sq. ft assembly line for its 19-seater aircraft ERA and intends to be the world’s first to manufacture a hybrid-electric regional aircraft, operating assembly lines in France and the U.S. The United States has emerged as one of the strongest markets for ERA, now accounting for more than one-third of the orders worldwide. The company expects U.S. volumes to approach half of its global total as additional commitments are finalized.

The current LOI book stands at over 650 ERA aircraft, for more than $10.5 billion. Florida’s site follows a partnership signed two years ago with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Space Florida, the state’s aerospace economic development agency, played a key role in supporting the project, which is expected to create more than 1,000 high-skilled jobs in the region.

“Today’s announcement by AURA AERO and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a shining example of the Governor’s leadership in growing Florida’s aviation industries, focus on fostering the talent to support innovative aviation job creators, and development of a market in which innovators can invest capital confidently,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly.

“Congratulations to the teams at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, AURA AERO, Space Florida and Team Volusia for reaching this milestone in developing this unique partnership embedded into Embry-Riddle’s campus, and eventually leading to full manufacturing and product delivery, creating hundreds of high demand jobs in next-generation aviation technology. This is a journey that began at the 2023 Paris Air Show, with the initial commitment announced at the 2024 Farnborough Air Show, and a commitment that came about because of an incredible team effort.”

“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,” said Jérémy 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.”

“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,” added Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D.

“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 investment is another example of how Florida continues to lead the way in aerospace growth and innovation,” said Space Florida Board Chair Jeanette Nuñez. “This milestone reflects the success of our strategy to attract companies that are redefining how and where the future of flight is built.

“We seek and foster opportunities to put Florida at the forefront of technological transformations,” said Space Florida President & CEO Rob Long. “AURA AERO represents the kind of progress and innovation that will move the aerospace industry forward for the better.”

About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Reporters worldwide contact Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for content experts in all aspects of aviation, aviation business, aerospace, engineering and STEM-related fields. Our faculty experts specialize in unmanned and autonomous systems, security and intelligence, air traffic and airport management, astronomy, human factors psychology, meteorology, spaceflight operations, urban air mobility and much more.

Embry-Riddle educates over 30,000 aspiring aerospace and aviation professionals at its residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona, and across more than 115 Worldwide Campus locations and online degree programs. In 2024, U.S. News & World Report named Embry-Riddle Worldwide the nation’s No. 1 provider of online bachelor’s degree programs among private universities. Our residential campuses hold multiple Top 10 rankings. All of our campuses have been ranked Best for Veterans.

About AURA AERO:

A pioneer in low-carbon aviation, AURA AERO is committed to serving mankind by designing and manufacturing aircraft that accelerate air transport decarbonization. By combining the best in the aeronautical industry with state-of-the-art digital technologies, AURA AERO produces new generation aircraft with unrivaled efficiency: INTEGRAL, the two-seater training aircraft with an aerobatics capacity, and ERA, the 19-seater hybrid-electric regional aircraft.

Founded in 2018, AURA AERO is based at Toulouse-Francazal airport in France and employs nearly 250 people. Having obtained design and production agreements, the company confirms its status as a fully recognized aircraft manufacturer. Learn more about AURA AERO here.

Featured image credited to James Darcy/27 Right Photography