MONTE has placed a firm order for 25 Eco Caravans from Ampaire. In addition, the companies have agreed to an option for an additional 25 Eco Caravans.
The Eco Caravan, a hybrid-electric upgrade of the Cessna Grand Caravan, can reduce fuel and emissions by as much as 70 percent on shorter trips and 50 percent on longer ones while preserving payload capability and extending range. When flown with SAF, the aircraft is effectively carbon neutral.
According to the company’s press release, the Eco Caravan’s operating cost is 25 to 40 percent lower than the Cessna Grand Caravan depending on the type of missions flown. Also, an airport’s ground charging capabilities is not an issue since the aircraft can recharge its batteries in flight.
“MONTE is looking to build a fleet of low emission and zero emission aircraft to lease or finance for regional aircraft operators worldwide,” MONTE’s Investment Director, Timothy Eyre said. “Ampaire has emerged as the leading hybrid-electric technology provider. Its Eco Caravan will be very attractive for a segment of our operators, thanks to its wide performance envelope and ability to operate without ground charging infrastructure where necessary.”
Later this year, the nine-passenger Eco Caravan will undergo ground power tests. The aircraft is the first hybrid-electric aircraft to enter the certification process with the FAA. The company said they expect a supplemental type certification for the upgraded aircraft in 2024.
“The Eco Caravan is our starting point for a revolution in air travel,” Ampaire CEO Kevin Noertker said. “It brings cost per available seat mile down to the range of driving, benefiting operators and their passengers. It dramatically shrinks the aircraft’s carbon footprint. The propulsion technology is scalable and we intend to quickly move toward larger regional aircraft and even the single-aisle jet market over time.”
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