Ampaire has set what it believes is a new record for flight endurance with a hybrid-electric aircraft. On Tuesday, the company reported that its Electric EEL technology demonstrator aircraft had flown for exactly 12 hours on December 10 from Camarillo, California, landing with over two hours of fuel and battery reserves remaining.
The Electric EEL, which is a converted Cessna 337 Skymaster, is being used to develop Ampaire’s H570 AMP Drive hybrid-electric propulsion system. In addition to Red Aircraft's AO3 engine, this powertrain includes batteries, as well as electric motors and inverters that turn two sets of propellers.
This is to be used to convert Cessna Caravan aircraft into the company’s Eco Caravan product, with a projected 50 to 70 percent reduction in fuel consumption compared with the current Pratt & Whitney PT6 turboprop engines.
The latest Electric EEL test flight covered 1,375 miles. It built on an extended series of flights, which since 2019 have included missions to Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada, as well as a 1,135-mile trip from Los Angeles to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for the EAA AirVenture show. In November, the aircraft flew to Scottsdale, Arizona, to be on display at the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association conference. In November 2022, Ampaire achieved the first flight with the nine-passenger Eco Caravan.
“Through this groundbreaking mission, Ampaire has shattered the conventional boundaries of electrified flight, underscoring our relentless pursuit of transformative vehicle performance and commercial utility,” commented Ampaire CEO Kevin Noertker. “Our unique hybrid electric solutions deliver unparalleled operating economics and unlock endurance and operational flexibility critical to our customers' needs.”
Prospective customers for the Eco Caravan include leasing group Monte and Brazilian regional airline Azul Conecta. In January, the latter company signed a letter of intent to upgrade six of its 27 Cessna Grand Caravan freighters to use the hybrid-electric propulsion technology. Ampaire says it now has framework purchase agreements in place for over 100 Eco Caravan aircraft and letters of intent covering 500 of the AMP Drive units.
