FutureFlight
Ampaire Takes Hybrid-Electric Flight Demonstrations to the UK
Funding from the UK government will support flight testing of Ampaire's Electric EEL and Eco Otter SX aircraft.
Ampaire Electric EEL
Ampaire has already demonstrated its Electric EEL hybrid-electric aircraft in Hawaii, and now plans to do so in the UK. (Photo: Ampaire)

Hybrid-electric propulsion pioneer Ampaire is to conduct flight demonstrations in the UK as part of the new Towards Zero Emissions in Regional Aircraft Operations (2ZERO) program, which has received a £2.4 million ($3.3 million) grant as part of the £30 million funding from the British government for its Future Flight Challenge. Initially, Ampaire will demonstrate its six-seat Electric EEL aircraft (a converted Cessna 337 SkyMaster), and later it will add the 19-seat Eco Otter SX, which is based on the Twin Otter.

The 2ZERO consortium also includes several UK-based organizations, including Rolls-Royce Electrical, the University of Nottingham, regional airline Loganair, Exeter and Devon Airports, Cornwall Airport, the Southwest Local Enterprise Partnership, and UK Power Network Services. The aim of the collaboration is to evaluate how new hybrid-electric aircraft can be integrated with existing airport and airline operations, with flight testing at Exeter and Newquay airports in the southwest of England. Some of the partners will also be contributing financially to the program.