Daher inaugurates third technology center, Fly’in

On Jan. 10, Daher (Nantes, France) inaugurated its Fly’in technology center, dedicated to future hybrid propulsion and low-carbon aircraft. Located at the Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Airport in southwestern France, this 2,100-square-meter center of excellence is one of three established facilities, each dedicated to a strategic expertise — this includes the Toulouse Log’in facility for industrial logistics, and Shap’in at Nantes for the development of composite aerostructures (read CW’s Shap’in plant tour).

Together, the platforms will support Daher’s activities in addressing aerospace’s technological and environmental challenges. The initiatives, supported by the French government and the European Union under the France 2030 program — as well as by the Occitanie and Pays de la Loire regions — are at the heart of the Daher Group’s “Take Off 2027” strategic plan.

Fly’in’s infrastructure is positioned for research, development, rapid prototyping, ground and flight testing, structural testing and embedded systems testing, as well as data science and artificial intelligence. Among its flagship projects is the EcoPulse aircraft demonstrator, which enables Daher, along with its Safran and Airbus partners, to explore the potential of high-voltage electric hybridization technologies in reducing the carbon footprint of aircraft.

One of the Fly’in technology center’s goals is to strengthen the economic and industrial attractiveness of the region by building strong partnerships with academic, industrial and institutional players. In addition to accelerating technological innovation, this center will contribute to the development of skills and future professions. 

Fly’in is part of the Campus Aero Adour project, which aims to develop and deploy attractive training programs with qualifications — targeting the training of 15,000 people and raising awareness among 36,000 on the challenges facing the aerospace sector through 2030. (Note: In November 2024, FACC reported similar activities via the development of the FACC Academy for building its current and future workforce’s composites knowledge.)

“Fly’in perfectly illustrates Daher’s efforts to innovate and collaborate for more sustainable aviation, which is aligned with our corporate purpose,” states Didier Kayat, the chairman and CEO of Daher. “This technology center embodies the vision of a future where technology and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.”

The Fly’in building itself complies with the latest environmental standards, with a 30% green (vegetated) roof and a “low-carbon” concrete slab, reinforcing Daher’s commitment to sustainability.