Ampaire and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) will work together to convert multiple aircraft to electric propulsion. Under a memorandum of understanding signed on October 19, the European airline's technical division will help the Californian start-up to implement supplemental type certificate (STC) upgrades for its planned hybrid-electric EcoCaravan conversion of the Cessna Grand Caravan utility aircraft, as well as working on longer-term plans for larger aircraft.

Earlier this year, Ampaire began work on a hybrid-electric conversion of the 19-passenger DHC-6 Twin Otter, which it markets under the brand name EcoOtter SX. AFI KLM E&M will help the company to train the engineers needed to conduct aircraft conversions around the world , as well as helping with operational data analysis and pooling of components.

By the end of 2022, Ampaire aims to fly its first nine-seat EcoCaravan. Plans call for the EcoCaravan, which Ampaire says is the first hybrid-electric aircraft to enter the FAA certification process, to gain its STC in 2024.  The company says it also has ambitions to develop all-electric aircraft.

"Ampaire and AFI KLM E&M will work together to explore maintenance support for game-changing low-emissions aircraft on a worldwide basis,” said Kevin Noertker, founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based Ampaire. “AFI KLM E&M's powerful global network and strong expertise will give operators everywhere high technical confidence in new propulsion systems. These systems will also provide optimized maintenance costs compared to conventional turbines."

According to Ampaire, it has achieved a series of industry firsts since the 2019 maiden flight of its Electric EEL technology demonstrator. Its EEL market demonstration aircraft has flown nonstop from Los Angeles to San Francisco and the length of the UK. This year, it flew a 1,135-mile leg en route from Los Angeles to the EAA Air Venture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Ampaire has used the Electric EEL to complete the development of its three-module electric propulsion system (EPS), which consists of an electric motor, a power inverter unit, and a set of batteries. The system drives a single propeller at the front of a converted six-seat Cessna 337 Skymaster, while a Continental IO-550 piston engine, mounted on the rear of the aircraft, acts in the original pusher-configuration role.