FutureFlight
Air France KLM To Support Ampaire’s Development of 19-seat Electric Aircraft
The airline's engineering division will help Ampaire implement conversions of aircraft to hybrid-electric propulsion under supplemental type certificates.
Ampaire EEL technology demonstrator flies out of Hayward, California.
Ampaire flew its EEL demonstrator on a 1,135-mile leg en route from Los Angeles to the EAA Air Venture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (Photo: Ampaire)

Ampaire and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) will work together to convert multiple aircraft to electric propulsion. Under a memorandum of understanding signed on October 19, the European airline's technical division will help the Californian start-up to implement supplemental type certificate (STC) upgrades for its planned hybrid-electric EcoCaravan conversion of the Cessna Grand Caravan utility aircraft, as well as working on longer-term plans for larger aircraft.

Earlier this year, Ampaire began work on a hybrid-electric conversion of the 19-passenger DHC-6 Twin Otter, which it markets under the brand name EcoOtter SX. AFI KLM E&M will help the company to train the engineers needed to conduct aircraft conversions around the world , as well as helping with operational data analysis and pooling of components.

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