A Historic Flight in Utah by Ampaire’s Hybrid-Electric EEL
In a landmark moment for general aviation and sustainable flight, California-based startup Ampaire completed a historic hybrid-electric demonstration flight across Utah on August 6, 2026. This was part of the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). The aircraft — a modified Cessna 337 Skymaster known as the Electric EEL — flew 240 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport to Cedar City Regional Airport in just 1 hour and 45 minutes. Impressively, the aircraft landed with its battery already recharged mid-flight — no ground charging required.
The flight was conducted under Utah’s new uFLY initiative. This is a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership led by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). It brings together five western states, industry leaders, and research institutions. The goal is to safely accelerate the integration of advanced air mobility technologies into the National Airspace System.
The EEL uses a parallel hybrid design — electric propulsion drives the nose propeller, while combustion propulsion drives the rear. This allows it to operate from airports with no charging infrastructure. FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau framed it as vital operational experience. This will help the agency understand how to integrate Advanced Air Mobility into the NAS. Ampaire plans follow-up flights featuring the Eco Caravan. This is a hybrid-electric Cessna Grand Caravan upgrade equipped with the company’s AMP-H570 propulsion system. It is slated as its first commercial product.
Source: Utah Department of Transportation – uFLY Initiative (August 6, 2026)