Ampaire starts Utah hybrid-electric flights under FAA eIPP

Ampaire launched real-world hybrid-electric regional flights in Utah as part of the FAA’s eIPP program, using its EEL aircraft between Salt Lake City and Cedar City. The operation is designed to test route performance, infrastructure needs and the commercial potential of advanced air mobility without new airport buildout.

Why it matters: - Ampaire’s Utah launch moves hybrid-electric aviation from test flights into scheduled operations on real regional routes. - The program is meant to show whether advanced aircraft can serve cargo feeder, passenger and community air-service missions using existing airports. - The results could help shape how hybrid-electric aircraft are integrated into the National Airspace System.

What happened: - Ampaire began flight operations under uFLY, Utah’s project in the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration’s eIPP program. - Utah is leading one of eight eIPP projects selected nationwide. - Ampaire is the official OEM partner in uFLY and the only hybrid-electric engine OEM participating in eIPP. - Kickoff flights use the EEL hybrid-electric aircraft on routes connecting Salt Lake City and Cedar City. - On Aug. 3, Ampaire flew the EEL from Long Beach to Salt Lake City. - That flight covered about 648 miles in 4 hours and 18 minutes on a single battery charge. - The official uFLY kickoff included an Aug. 6 flight from Salt Lake City to Cedar City. - That leg covered about 240 miles in 1 hour and 45 minutes. - The aircraft then returned from Cedar City to Long Beach. - The full three-leg mission is expected to total about 1,340 miles, 10 flight hours and three takeoff-and-landing cycles.

The details: - The Salt Lake City-Cedar City corridor reflects routes used by cargo feeder operators, passenger carriers and community air-service providers. - The uFLY program will evaluate operational readiness, infrastructure needs, route performance and practical use cases for advanced aircraft. - Ampaire says the flights show hybrid-electric aviation can operate across meaningful distances and varied terrain without new infrastructure. - The EEL is Ampaire’s hybrid-electric Cessna 337 Skymaster testbed. - Electric propulsion drives the nose propeller, while combustion propulsion drives the aft propeller. - Ampaire says the configuration reduces fuel use while preserving regional range and operational flexibility. - The formal uFLY operations build on Ampaire’s July deployment between California and Utah. - Ampaire test pilot Zack Kraus said Utah’s mountainous terrain and high-density-altitude conditions highlighted the added electric boost power during climb. - Ampaire’s website is More information. - The company also listed its social accounts at LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

Between the lines: - Utah gives Ampaire a real-world proving ground with terrain, altitude and route profiles that mirror operational challenges across the western U.S. - The partnership with state and federal aviation programs suggests a focus on near-term integration, not just technology demonstration. - Introducing the Eco Caravan later in the program would move the effort closer to a commercial aircraft product. - The AMP-H570 propulsion system is designed to self-charge in flight and avoid dependence on ground charging.

What’s next: - Ampaire and uFLY partners plan to use the EEL for early operational learning. - The program will move to the Eco Caravan in later phases. - Utah will continue testing and collaboration as it builds a model for advanced air mobility across urban and rural areas. - The company aims to show that hybrid-electric aircraft can lower fuel burn, emissions and operating costs while using today’s airport infrastructure.

The bottom line: - Ampaire is using Utah’s eIPP project to prove hybrid-electric aircraft can fly useful regional routes now, not just in future demos.