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Utah Begins Real-World Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Demonstrations

Mission marks ‘first of several’ planned flights at state’s airports.

Friday, August 07, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

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Ampaire’s hybrid-electric EEL conducts a demonstration flight over Salt Lake City. [Credit: Ampaire]

Key Takeaways:

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has launched real-world demonstrations of a hybrid-electric aircraft as part of the FAA's three-year eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).
These demonstrations, led by UDOT's "uFLY" project, aim to collect data from operations of electric, hybrid, and autonomous aircraft to inform future regulatory standards and facilitate safe integration into the national airspace.
Ampaire's hybrid-electric EEL testbed aircraft completed an initial 250-mile flight from Salt Lake City to Cedar City, showcasing technology designed for significant fuel reduction and performance in challenging terrains.
The "uFLY" program will test various advanced aircraft across five states for applications such as cargo delivery, emergency response, and future passenger services, with Utah positioning itself as a leader in advanced air mobility.

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The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has launched real-world demonstrations with a hybrid-electric aircraft, which Thursday morning flew close to 250 miles from Salt Lake City to Cedar City.

Utah residents who missed the landmark flight need not worry. UDOT said it was the “first of several” hybrid-electric demonstrations to come over the next three years under a new FAA program.

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.