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Ampaire's CEO flew the company's flagship aircraft on the first-ever hybrid-electric flight into the Palo Alto Airport (PAO) to meet investors in Silicon Valley. The company announced the achievement on Friday, celebrating the milestone feat for sustainable aviation.
CEO Kevin Noertker flew to meet investors, making Ampaire the first company to accomplish such an achievement. Ampaire is reducing carbon emissions and operational costs in aviation through its work on sustainable technology and testing like hybrid-electric flight. The success of the recent flight underscores the commitment Ampaire has to sustainability and its confidence in its technology. The flight proves the reliability, efficiency and readiness of Ampaire's hybrid-electric aircraft and previews what the future of air travel will become.RELATED STORIES:Ampaire flies hybrid-electric Cessna to Alaska in milestone flightAmpaire successfully flies Eco Caravan, taking a step toward sustainable aviation
"The flight into Palo Alto Airport is not just a technical verification of our systems but a clear message that the era of electric aviation is upon us," Noertker said. "Palo Alto is renowned as a stomping ground for innovative startups that embrace new ideas and technologies. We invite forward-thinking investors to fly with us on our journey as we redefine the boundaries of air travel and push towards a zero-emissions future."
The flight into the Palo Alto Airport to meet investors highlights the role regional airports play in bringing about advanced and sustainable transportation options straight into communities. Ampaire hosted visits from local investors, stakeholders, city council members and members of the press. Guests in attendance had the opportunity to see the potential of hybrid-electric aviation and its impact on transportation.
Ampaire's optimized hybrid-electric planes have demonstrated an over 50 percent saving in fuel versus the standard planes on which they are based. These innovations can deliver substantial fuel savings and emissions reductions while decreasing operating costs and retaining the full flight distance capability. The hybrid-electric aircraft do not require new or additional infrastructure to operate like novel fueling or charging stations. These capabilities have allowed Ampaire to deploy its technology widely, including island hopping in Hawaii and Scotland, crossing the U.S. and journeying over Canada and Alaska.
In November 2022, Ampaire successfully flew its Eco Caravan for the first time. The nine-seat regional aircraft is equipped with a fully integrated hybrid-electric propulsion system. The Eco Caravan is expected to be the first electrified regional aircraft to enter into commercial service when it achieves certification in 2024 and will be the first in a series of larger hybrid-electric aircraft from Ampaire.
On Aug. 13 Ampaire successfully landed its hybrid-electric aircraft at the Fairbanks International Airport. This was the furthest north any hybrid-electric aircraft has ever flown, made possible by the deployment of the first mobile electric aircraft chargers in Alaska and Canada. This milestone flight allowed Ampaire to test its technology with challenging Alaskan terrain.
With its latest flight, Ampaire is advancing toward commercial viability. Through its innovative and forward-thinking technology, Ampaire is launching itself into the next era of aviation.