It may need a little more work before its first transatlantic flight, but it’s a notable start. The dimunitive one-seat all electric Cri-Cri, jointly developed by EADS Innovation Works, Aero Composites Saintonge and the Green Cri-Cri Association made its official maiden flight at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Thursday.

All 32 Cessna 441 Conquest aircraft on the Australian register have now escaped instant or eventual grounding following the development of overhaul/modification and ongoing maintenance arrangements by Brisbane-based TAE Aviation. Its manufacturer Cessna had set the type’s life limit for airline operations at 22,500 hours after it decided not to develop an ageing aircraft maintenance program for the Conquest.