Engines
Ampaire Begins Hybrid-electric Aircraft Trials in UK
Ampaire has begun demo flights of its hybrid-electric EEL in the UK as part of government-backed trials to advance sustainable aviation technologies.
Ampaire is flying trials with its hybrid-electric EEL testbed between the UK’s Exeter and Cornwall airports, which are 85 miles apart, using a combination of battery and piston power. It will be collecting in-flight data to monitor fuel savings, efficiency, and noise. (Photo: Ampaire)
Ampaire is flying trials with its hybrid-electric EEL testbed between the UK’s Exeter and Cornwall airports, which are 85 miles apart, using a combination of battery and piston power. It will be collecting in-flight data to monitor fuel savings, efficiency, and noise. (Photo: Ampaire)

Ampaire has launched demonstration flights of its hybrid-electric EEL aircraft between the UK’s Exeter and Cornwall airports as part of a series of government-backed trials to advance sustainable aviation technologies. The EEL is a modified Cessna 337 Skymaster with a front-mounted electric motor and conventional rear-mounted piston engine, a configuration that Ampaire said reduces emissions and operating costs by up to 30 percent.