PR98898

CAMARILLO, Calif., Nov. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

-- Eco Caravan Reduces Fuel Consumption and Emissions, Leading the Way to a

Sustainability Revolution

Ampaire's Eco Caravan, a nine-seat regional aircraft, made its first flight

today on a fully-integrated hybrid-electric propulsion system. Ampaire expects

it to be the first electrified regional aircraft to enter commercial service

(certification in 2024) and the first in a series of larger Ampaire

hybrid-electric aircraft that will lead a transition to sustainable aviation.

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"Aviation is the hardest industry to decarbonize," said Ampaire CEO Kevin

Noertker. "Fully-electric aircraft are range limited because of the weight and

energy capacity of current-generation batteries. Hybrid-electric aircraft,

however, can preserve the range and utility of today's aircraft. That is why we

are focused on hybrid-electric propulsion for a series of increasingly capable

regional aircraft. It's a way for the airline industry to decarbonize more

quickly and also to benefit from lower operating costs."

Today's landmark achievement adds momentum to a program that has attracted key

customers and program participants in recent months. In October, the company

announced a relationship with Air France Industries KLM Engineering and

Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) for a range of worldwide maintenance service and

support activities. Also last month, Ampaire received an order from MONTE, a

financier of sustainable regional aviation technologies, for up to 50 Eco

Caravans. "These types of relationships ensure that Ampaire's customers

worldwide have compelling financing and leasing support alongside world class

maintenance/repair/overhaul support," said Noertker.

A "smooth and quiet" first flight

The Eco Caravan upgrades the standard Cessna Grand Caravan with Ampaire's

integrated propulsion system of a compression ignition engine and an electric

engine. A battery pack in a body fairing preserves passenger and cargo capacity

for the aircraft.

The first flight was 33 minutes in duration to make initial checks of the

propulsion system. With test pilot Elliot Seguin at the controls, the Eco

Caravan took off from Camarillo Airport north of Los Angeles at 7:49AM PST. It

climbed to 3,500 feet at full power, combining power from the combustion engine

and electric engine. Seguin then throttled back to a cruise setting, reducing

load on both power sources. He spent roughly 20 minutes testing various power

settings while studying temperatures and other readings before making a descent

and final approach to Camarillo at a low power setting. "The Eco Caravan

propulsion system performed just as expected," said Seguin. "It was smooth and

quiet. All temperature and power output readings were normal."

Net Zero Emissions with SAF

The Eco Caravan reduces fuel consumption and emissions by up to 70 percent.

Emissions are near zero when using sustainable aviation fuel. Cost of operation

is reduced by 25 to 40 percent depending on airline route structure. Cost per

available seat mile is near that of driving.

The hybrid-electric aircraft preserves the range/payload capability of the

Grand Caravan, and in fact can fly farther than the Grand Caravan with eight

passengers. Maximum range is beyond 1,000 miles. The Eco Caravan's range and

load hauling capability is in marked contrast to proposed all-electric,

hydrogen-electric and even other hybrid-electric designs.

The Eco Caravan can recharge its batteries in flight or at a charging stations

on the ground. Because charging infrastructure will be limited for some years,

the ability to operate independent of ground charging is critical for

preserving the full utility of the Eco Caravan.

The first in a new generation of sustainable electrified aircraft

The Eco Caravan's propulsion technology is scalable to larger regional aircraft

and ultimately to single-aisle airliners. Ampaire plans to rapidly roll out

more powerful propulsion systems for larger aircraft, following a building

blocks approach that will dramatically improve the sustainability of airline

operations.

"As proud as we are of the Eco Caravan, we see it as a first step to larger

hybrid-electric propulsions systems and ultimately zero-emission systems as

energy storage technology advances," said Noertker.

First to market

Ampaire is already working with the FAA to certify the Eco Caravan in 2024

under a supplemental type certificate, an STC. The Ampaire approach differs

from others in that it does not require a full aircraft certification program,

which can be time consuming and very expensive. The Grand Caravan is already

FAA certified. Ampaire will certify it to fly with a new propulsion system.

"Launching hybrid-electric aviation is no simple task, but we have made it

easier by upgrading an already certified aircraft," said Noertker. "We will

come to market more quickly and allow airlines around the world to begin to

gain operational experience with this new type of propulsion. And we will work

with them on follow-on models to meet their network requirements."

Note to media: Expect first flight video later today. www.ampaire.com/press.

About Ampaire

Los Angeles-based Ampaire was formed in 2016 with a mission to become the

world's most-trusted developer of practical, compelling electric aircraft. The

company is upgrading existing passenger aircraft to hybrid electric power–the

quickest, most capital efficient approach to making commercial electric air

travel a reality with available technology. Ampaire has scored a series of

industry firsts since the 2019 maiden flight of its Electric EEL technology

testbed aircraft, including the longest flight for a hybrid-electric

aircraft--1,135 statute miles en-route from Los Angeles to Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

For more information about Ampaire, https://www.ampaire.com/.

For Ampaire:

Jeff Miller

jeff.miller@ampaire.com

press@ampaire.com

SOURCE - Ampaire, Inc.