Elixir Aircraft announced the latest version of its first certified aircraft, the Elixir +, at Aero 2026, in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Launch customer Alexandros Tsaktanis from Global Aviation was on hand to confirm its five-aircraft order of the new model, which incorporates a list of 10 major improvements—derived from operator feedback—from the original CS 23 certified under EASA in May 2020. The changes include those required to complete the FAA Part 23 certification obtained in July 2025.
The new features include, most visibly, larger upswept wingtips and “lips” on the trailing edges, which enhance stall behavior and, in EASA terms, deliver unintentional spin resistance. “We want to prevent loss of control, which is a major issue in flight accident statistics—if you look at any NTSB or French BEA [Bureau d’Enquetes et d’Analyses] data you will see that loss of control is one of the major [factors],” said Champenois.
The changes also include an expanded useful load, allowing for two 220-pound people and full fuel in the two-seat trainer, which holds 27.5 gallons for the Rotax 912 iS powerplant to sip, at 4.2 gph while cruising at 115 knots indicated.
First deliveries of the Elixir + will begin in July to Global and in June to U.S. customer Sierra Charlie Aviation, in Scottsdale, Arizona, which has 100 of the aircraft on pre-order.
Elixir CMO and co-founder Cyril Champenois reported on the development of the company’s production lines to support the anticipated ramp up in manufacturing at its home base in La Rochelle, France, as well as the push to put together similar space in partnership with Cirrus Aviation in Sarasota, Florida. “Since last year we have been able to double our production rate,” said Champenois in a press conference at Aero. “We went from 13 aircraft in [2024] to 16 aircraft just from the 1st of June to the 31st of December [2025], so it means that we are going nicely to 30 aircraft a year, which is a major objective for us.”
To do so, Elixir has expanded within its main facility at the La Rochelle-Île de Ré airport (LFBH) to receive the one-shot carbon fiber airframe components and control surfaces from its new composite facilities into a primary assembly area. AvBrief was invited to check out those expansions and what they mean for the company’s ability to make good on its substantial order book—and to also take a test flight in the Elixir. Look for the pilot report in an upcoming feature.
