Hybrid-Electric ‘Hawaii Bird' Makes First Flight

Electric aviation company Ampaire flew its second technology demonstrator on 10 September. The aircraft is a refined version of its Cessna 337 ‘Electric EEL’ hybrid-electric power conversion.

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The company refers to the new flight test aircraft as the ‘Hawaii Bird’, as it will be flown by Ampaire and Mokulele Airlines pilots on air routes in Hawaii later this year in a series of demonstration flights. When the aircraft flies on Maui, it will be the first time a hybrid-electric powered aircraft has flown under an FAA ‘market survey’ Experimental aircraft certificate in order to gain real-world flight experience.

“Since flying our first Electric EEL last year, we have made substantial improvements to the power train for efficiency, increased performance, reliability, and safety,” says Ampaire CEO Kevin Noertker. “This technology is scaleable with wide applications for scheduled passenger and cargo services, as well as charter services. Our flights with Mokulele Airlines will be an opportunity to test both the aircraft and the infrastructure required to advance electric aviation and transport access in Hawaii.”