ALTITUDE GAIN.
FIND PERSPECTIVES.
1. Design
2. Fly
3. Give perspectives
To Decision Makers
To Next Generation Engineers
For the planet
SX-15
Experimental Glider
The SX-15 is an experimental single-seat demonstrator, capable of self-launch thanks to a retractable electric propulsion system.
Empty weight — 200 kg
Wingspan — 15 m
Aerodynamic glide ratio (L/D) — 44
On a single battery charge: 4 self-launches with a 700 m altitude gain each, or 1 self-launch with a 3000 m altitude gain.
SX-2.18 Experimental Glider
The SX-2.18 is an experimental two-seater demonstrator, autonomous at takeoff thanks to a retractable electric motor.
Empty weight - 320kg
Wingspan - 18m
Aerodynamic efficiency L/D - 45
With a single battery charge - x3 autonomous takeoffs with an altitude gain of 550m, or x1 autonomous takeoff with an altitude gain of 2000m.
FLIGHT TESTS SUMMER 2026
Validate the technological solutions
The flight tests of a glider are a decisive moment, where every control input reflects years of patient work. They make it possible to validate the aerodynamics, control sensitivity, materials, and the aircraft’s behavior in real conditions.
On each flight, the challenge is twofold: confirming that the glider meets expectations and ensuring the pilot’s safety. For while the freedom of the sky inspires, it also carries its share of risks. These tests are a subtle balance between boldness and caution. Every minute in the air brings the aircraft closer to maturity and to the full optimization of its performance.
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The first test flights will be both exhilarating and challenging — the culmination of several years of research and engineering, but also, and above all, the beginning of a new chapter: putting this glider at the service of the causes that are dear to my heart ,,
- Olivier Fichou
The future of gliding
As the tests progress, the flight envelope gradually expands, revealing the glider's true character and its ability to go further, higher, and faster. When the last doubts dissipate, one certainty emerges: the aircraft is ready to fulfill the mission for which it was designed. To break records, cross unprecedented aerial frontiers, and, through these feats, showcase cutting-edge technologies. For this glider is not merely a performance vehicle: it is a pioneer, paving the way for autonomous, sustainable, economical soaring, and addressing the challenges of the future of the aviation industry.
To pave the way
While the completion of the single-seat version already represents a major technological breakthrough for the future of gliding, the two-seat version is set to be a true revolution. The SX-2.18 will become the first two-seater capable of self-launching thanks to a retractable electric propulsion system integrated into the nose. It will push the lightweight design of composite structures and aerodynamic optimization to their highest level of refinement, paving the way for a new generation of performance.
THE TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGE OF THE TWO-SEATER
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To date, no two-seater glider exists capable of autonomous takeoff with a retractable electric motor integrated into the glider's nose. The technical challenge is considerable, but the advances made on single-seaters are extremely promising and entirely transferable to the two-seater version ,,
- Olivier Fichou
DEFEND OUR CAUSES
Eco-Design & Responsible Innovation
We involve specialized institutional partners to design our demonstrators using eco-design and life-cycle assessment methodologies, with a simple goal: achieving an overall positive carbon footprint.
In other words, the environmental impact of their manufacturing must be lower than the benefits generated by replacing current fleets that still rely on tow planes and their associated emissions.
In this spirit of responsible innovation, our demonstrators are intended to deliver real, measurable, and demonstrable progress—serving the world of gliding as well as the entire aeronautical sector.
Decarbonized Aviation and Pilot Training
We bring together manufacturers and specialist schools in the sector to co-develop a complete technical solution covering the entire product lifecycle: R&D, testing, industrialization, operations and maintenance.
The objective is to acquire directly transferable know-how, on the one hand to a future manufacturer to produce and market a series version of our demonstrators, and on the other hand to operators to integrate them into the initial and continuing training courses of their crews.
Atmospheric and Climate Sciences
We are bringing together leading institutional partners to co-design and pool our knowledge in atmospheric science, in service of the decarbonization of the aviation sector.
Thanks to a detailed understanding of atmospheric data and its influence on aircraft energy performance, we are working to optimize flight trajectories.
Observing and forecasting local atmospheric movements will also allow us to plan our record-breaking glider flights, in order to reach speeds, distances and altitudes never before achieved.
Finally, our flights will offer the opportunity to collect valuable data, contributing to advancing knowledge in the fields of atmospheric and climate science.
Teaching & Research
Involving today's researchers and tomorrow's engineers in this pioneering project is essential, because they are the ones who will shape the world to come.
We therefore integrate students and researchers into each of the missions we carry out.
This project also invites us to ask ourselves:
– To what extent do the new technologies we are developing actually serve a more sustainable future?
– What role do environmental challenges play in the training of engineers?
– What proportion of our research effort is currently devoted to decarbonizing our industries?
This collective reflection informs our approach and guides our choices for a truly sustainable future.
