With new contracts, partnerships and flight tests spanning multiple countries and companies, efforts are advancing to develop electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) and electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM) applications.As a follow-on to its hybrid-electric Cessna 337 Electric EEL, Ampaire announced on April 22 that it has begun ground testing the propulsion system on its hybrid-electric Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, which uses a turbo-generator and batteries. Ampaire began conducting the tests in early April at Los Angeles' Hawthorne Airport. Known as the Eco Caravan, it is the first hybrid-electric piloted aircraft to enter the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification process, the company said. The first flight of the eCTOL aircraft is expected in the second half of 2022, with certification planned for 2024. The company expects the Eco Caravan will save up to 70 of fuel on short-hop routes and over 50 on long-haul flights, while still carrying nine passengers or cargo. The aircraft can achieve an emissions reduction of up to 90 if using sustainable aviation fuel.
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