Ampaire’s Cessna Skymaster hybrid-electric test aircraft took its first flight in Scotland on Wednesday, positioning the airplane at the new UK-supported incubator for sustainable aviation at Orkey’s Kirkwall airport.
This is the second test aircraft for the company. It was modified in the U.S., with its first demo flights taking place in Hawaii.
The six-seat Skymaster—known for its tractor-pusher twin-engine configuration—has had its front engine replaced. This aircraft, N337EE, is in a different configuration from the first test aircraft flown in California in 2019, which had the rear engine replaced with an electric power unit (EPU).
The EPU used in the current Skymaster is capable of 200 kW output, though it’s limited in this application to 120 kW. The rear engine remains the standard 310-hp Continental IO-550.
The battery pack has been moved to a belly pod.
The Skymaster EEL was reassembled with the help of Wick Airport’s fire brigade upon the airplane’s arrival in Scotland. The demo flights are intended to highlight the low-emission profile and low operating costs anticipated when hybrid-electric aircraft hit their stride.
Ampaire expects the aircraft to have its best application on those routes now served by regional airlines.
