On 16 January 2025, Ampaire, a pioneer in hybrid electric aviation, announced that it had achieved another groundbreaking milestone in sustainable aviation. For the first time, a hybrid electric aircraft landed at Long Beach Airport, marking a significant leap in the future of eco-friendly air travel. The flight featured Ampaire’s Electric EEL, a hybrid electric version of the Cessna Skymaster, also known as the “Hawaii Bird.” This innovative aircraft, which combines combustion and electric propulsion systems, formed the foundation of Ampaire’s AMP Drive™ technology, powering a range of aircraft types, including Ampaire’s launch product, the Eco Caravan. The Hawaii Bird logged tens of thousands of miles, including missions in Hawaii, Scotland, the UK, and a historic cross-country journey from California to Alaska. In December 2023, the aircraft completed a record-setting 12-hour endurance flight, showcasing its reliability and efficiency.
The 85-mile, 35-minute flight departed from Ampaire’s flight test location in Camarillo, CA, and travelled south along the California Coastline to Los Angeles, passing over iconic areas like Malibu and Pacific Palisades. These regions, which had recently been devastated by Los Angeles wildfires, served as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the climate crisis. The flight highlighted the critical importance of sustainable technologies like hybrid electric aviation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating environmental damage.
“This historic landing at Long Beach Airport represented a meaningful step forward, for Ampaire and also for the industry,” said Kevin Noertker, CEO of Ampaire. “As our headquarters, Long Beach is a hub for innovation and sustainability, and it is fitting that our Hawaii Bird has now touched down here. It is crucial that new technology aeroplanes achieve the ability to safely operate in airspace associated with major airports. This we have demonstrated many times before, but never so close to home. This milestone speaks to the progress we are making in building trust in cleaner, more efficient, and accessible air travel.”
Why This Mattered
- First-ever hybrid electric flight to Long Beach Airport, “America’s Coolest Airport!”: This marked a new era in sustainable aviation for one of Southern California’s most prominent airports.
- Local and global impact: Ampaire’s innovative technology supported clean technology and economic growth while contributing to global sustainability goals.
- AMP Drive platform: The propulsion system powering the Hawaii Bird represented a scalable solution for reducing carbon emissions and operational costs across a wide range of aircraft.
Long Beach’s Role in Ampaire’s Journey
Ampaire moved its headquarters to Long Beach in 2024, celebrating its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring aviation and government leaders, including Mayor Rex Richardson, Evelyn Wang of ARPA-E, Cynthia Guidry of Long Beach Airport, and Raquel Girvin, FAA Regional Administrator. Since its relocation, Ampaire had continued to innovate at the forefront of sustainable transportation, reinforcing Long Beach’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic development.
