21 July 2026
Piper Aircraft’s manufacturing arm has agreed to help bring one of the most ambitious hybrid-electric regional airliners yet announced into production.
Piper Industrial Manufacturing Company (PIMCO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with French aircraft manufacturer Aura Aero to manufacture major aerostructures for the 19-seat ERA hybrid-electric regional aircraft, marking a significant move by the US general aviation manufacturer into the emerging sustainable aviation sector.
Piper’s John Calcagno, right, signing the MoU with Aura Aero’s Jérémy Caussade at Oshkosh
Announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the agreement will see PIMCO use its experience in aluminium aerostructures to support large-scale production of the ERA aircraft.
The partnership is particularly significant because ERA is one of the most advanced hybrid-electric commuter aircraft currently under development. Designed to carry 19 passengers, the aircraft aims to offer regional airlines substantially lower carbon emissions, reduced noise and lower direct operating costs while maintaining the range and operational flexibility expected of today’s turboprops.
French company Aura Aero says the programme already has an order book of around 700 aircraft, with entry into service planned for 2030. Production is expected to take place at facilities in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Toulouse, France.
For Piper, the deal represents an expansion beyond manufacturing its own piston aircraft into supplying advanced air mobility and sustainable aviation programmes through its recently established PIMCO division.
John Calcagno, President and CEO of Piper Aircraft, said the company was “thrilled to partner with a visionary industry leader like Aura Aero” and believed Piper’s long experience in aerostructure manufacturing and certification would help bring the hybrid-electric aircraft to market.
Aura Aero co-founder and President Jérémy Caussade said industrial capability was just as important as aircraft development.
“With PIMCO’s long-standing experience in aluminium aerostructures, we are strengthening the manufacturing capabilities behind ERA and taking another important step toward delivering commercial aviation’s first hybrid-electric passenger aircraft,” he said.
