With the prototype for Ampaire’s Eco Caravan conversion of the ubiquitous Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprop scheduled to make its first flight by the end of the year, the California-based hybrid-electric propulsion system developer has been touting the aircraft’s benefits for Caribbean island-hopping operations. At the Caribavia conference in St. Maarten this week, Brice Nzeukou, the company’s director of business and product development, argued that the aircraft—outfitted with an electric motor driving its propeller along with a conventional jet fuel-powered engine—is uniquely suited for use in the Caribbean.
At an expected average of 20 gallons of fuel burn per hour, the Eco Caravan’s consumption is less than half that of a conventional Caravan due to the assistance on takeoff and climb out from the hybrid-electric power plant. In addition to the environmental benefit of reducing emissions, that translates to a higher payload for the hybrid version over the conventional Caravan on short flights, or a near doubling of range.
