FutureFlight
Daher's EcoPulse Technology Demonstrator Readies for First Electric Flight
The EcoPulse hybrid power technology demonstrator is due to begin flights with the electric propulsion system operating by mid-November at the latest.
The Ecopulse aircraft is pictured on a runway
The EcoPulse hybrid-electric technology demonstrator has so far only flown on turboprop power. (Image: Daher)

Daher CEO Didier Kayat reported on Monday at NBAA-BACE that the EcoPulse distributed propulsion technology demonstrator will fly for the first time on electric power “within the next two weeks or so.” Kayat has committed Daher to launching a hybrid power aircraft by 2027, with the specification expected to be defined next year.

The fixed-wing EcoPulse demo aircraft, which uses the Daher TBM 900 as its platform, has been flying with inactive wing-mounted electric thrusters installed since earlier this year, following baseline trials last year with just the PT6 turboprop.