Surf Air Mobility and Textron Aviation are to work together to produce a hybrid-electric powered Cessna Grand Caravan.
Los Angeles-based Surf Air, which recently acquired hybrid power unit developer Ampaire, had ordered up to 150 Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprop aircraft and convert them to hybrid-electric propulsion.
The result will be a nine-seat aircraft which will operate on Surf Air’s own US network providing a short-haul direct service and building a regional mass transport platform. This could start as early as 2024.
Textron Aviation will use its expertise and customer relationships to help accelerate adoption of the electrified Cessna Grand Caravan for all types of Cessna Grand Caravan missions, including passenger and cargo applications.
Sudhin Shahani, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Surf Air Mobility, said, “We know from our experience that people are looking for faster, affordable, and cleaner regional travel and we are building the ecosystem to accelerate the industry’s adoption of hybrid electric flight.
“We believe significantly reducing the emission from this category of aircraft will be the biggest step we can take toward de-carbonization in this decade.”
Ron Draper, president & CEO of Textron Aviation, added, “Hybrid electric propulsion technology, deployed at scale for environmental and commercial benefits, is an important part of the future of travel.
“This relationship with Surf Air Mobility leverages the unique performance capabilities of the Cessna Grand Caravan in both passenger and cargo operations, and continues to demonstrate the aircraft’s adaptability for innovative missions and configurations.”
Planned benefits of the new series hybrid propulsion include:
- Reduce direct operating costs by approximately 25% and carbon emissions by approximately 25%.
- Provide similar performance as the current turbine engine Cessna Grand
- Caravan EX when operated in the same ways across cargo, passenger and
- special mission applications.
- With no charging stations expected to be required, the aircraft should be
- immediately operable at more than 5,000 public use airports across the U.S.
- Reduce the environmental impact of flying and pave the way for future
- generations of even more sustainable aircraft.
- Enhance the ability for a new point-to-point route network that makes direct flights more affordable and accessible for more people in more places.
New and existing Cessna Grand Caravan EX owners and operators are expected to have the ability to upgrade to the hybrid powertrain, converting them into hybrid electric aircraft.
The transactions between Surf Air Mobility and Textron Aviation are subject to certain closing conditions, including the receipt of financing by Surf Air Mobility.
