Volaire 1050

The Volaire 1050, introduced in 2012 by the Swiss‑based manufacturer Volaircraft, quickly became a benchmark in the light‑sport category. Developed from the earlier Volaire 750, the 1050 incorporated a carbon‑fiber wing and a newly designed turboprop engine that delivers 210 kW while keeping fuel consumption under 15 gph. Its development program, overseen by chief engineer Elena Rauscher, focused on blending high‑altitude performance with ease of handling, allowing pilots with a sport‑pilot license to operate the aircraft up to 26 000 feet. The spacious, composite fuselage houses a glass‑cockpit suite featuring dual primary flight displays, synthetic‑vision navigation and a fully integrated ADS‑B system. Safety was further enhanced by a whole‑aircraft parachute and energy‑absorbing seats. Since its certification by EASA and FAA in 2014, the Volaire 1050 has been adopted by flight schools, aerial survey firms and private owners, praised for its low operating costs and low noise footprint. By 2022 the model captured an estimated 12 percent of the global LSA market, and its training curriculum has been integrated into 30 aviation academies worldwide, fostering a generation of pilots comfortable with avionics and sustainable flight operations. Its success spurred Volaircraft’s later Volaire 1500 series and cemented the brand’s reputation for innovative, environmentally conscious general‑aviation solutions.