SURF AIR secures early delivery of 90 ELECTRA HYBRIDELECTRIC AIRCRAFT
Future Flight|March 2024
On 15 February US Commuter and General Aviation group, Surf Air announced that it has secured early delivery slots for 90 Electra hybrid-electric aircraft. The aircraft will not only go to Surf Air's own airlines, Southern Airways and Mokulele Airlines, but could also be leased to other operators under what the firm calls 'aircraft-as-a-service' programme. The latter is, in essence, a turnkey leasing scheme designed to meet the needs of Part 135 operators, which are small local and regional airlines with often limited access to the services of more traditional aircraft lessors.
SURF AIR secures early delivery of 90 ELECTRA HYBRIDELECTRIC AIRCRAFT

Surf Air and Electra will extend their collaboration to the development of analytical systems that will streamline the operations of the hybrid-electric fleet. In parallel to this, Surf Air will continue to invest in another project to electrify its Cessna Caravan fleet at scale. Surf Air has partnered with aircraft maker Textron Aviation, which produces the Cessna aircraft family. Surf Air is also a partner of REGENT, a startup developing electrically powered wing-inground vehicles, a type of flying craft that moves a few meters over water at speeds of up to 180 miles per hour. Orders have been trickling in for Electra’s nine-seater short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft, which, in addition to promising low emission flights thanks to its hybrid-electric propulsion, is also capable of operating from short runways.

In January 2023, Electra’s pre-order book reached the 2,000 mark after signing orders of intent with JetSetGo, an Indian operator, for 50 aircraft and Finland’s Lygg for 300 aircraft. US operator JSX also placed an order for 82 of Electra’s hybrid-electric aircraft (32 firm orders and 50 options) in December 2023.

Thrust for hybrid electric flying

Several Fraunhofer Institutes and the Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg, under the leadership of Rolls-Royce Germany and other partners such as the research institution ACCESS, are collaborating on the future of hybrid electric flying. Supported by the state of Brandenburg and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, the partners are researching an entirely new propulsion system for medium-range aircraft with up to 35 passengers.

この記事は Future Flight の March 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は Future Flight の March 2024 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

FUTURE FLIGHTのその他の記事すべて表示
Sustainability and connectivity: top of the agenda for private jet industry
Future Flight

Sustainability and connectivity: top of the agenda for private jet industry

The executive aviation industry is currently facing a paradox. On the one hand, demand for private flying remains strong, propelled by the rise in the number of high-net-worth individuals around the globe. While on the other hand, the industry is increasingly being questioned by the public, the media, and politicians over its environmental credentials.

time-read
5 分  |
June 2024
NASA, ESA join forces to land European Rover on Mars
Future Flight

NASA, ESA join forces to land European Rover on Mars

The space agencies signed a new agreement that will see NASA supply heating units for the Rosalind Franklin rover, which could launch as soon as 2028.

time-read
4 分  |
June 2024
Long-awaited Starliner launch breaks a six-decade drought
Future Flight

Long-awaited Starliner launch breaks a six-decade drought

An Atlas rocket has launched with astronauts aboard for the first time since Gordon Cooper's final Mercury flight in his Faith 7 capsule on 15 May 1963, powered by an Atlas LV-3B 130-D. The Atlas V rocket that launched on 5 June, manufactured by United Launch Alliance and powered at liftoff by a Russian-built RD-180 first-stage engine, carried Boeing's Starliner crew ferry ship to orbit following multiple launch delays over the past several days.

time-read
6 分  |
June 2024
Non-CO2 emissions measured in commercial aircraft 100% SAF test
Future Flight

Non-CO2 emissions measured in commercial aircraft 100% SAF test

Results from the world's first in-flight study of the impact of using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on both engines of a commercial aircraft show a reduction in soot particles and formation of contrail ice crystals compared to using conventional Jet A-1 fuel.

time-read
2 分  |
June 2024
Avfuel, Neste sign SAF supply increase extension
Future Flight

Avfuel, Neste sign SAF supply increase extension

Avfuel and renewable fuel producer Neste have finalised an extension to their agreement regarding the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and set a framework for the deal through 2027.

time-read
2 分  |
June 2024
First flight for Electra hybrid  'blown lift' aircraft
Future Flight

First flight for Electra hybrid 'blown lift' aircraft

Electra's blown-lift design uses eight electric motors to increase wing lift, allowing the eSTOL aircraft to take-off and land in just one-tenth of the space needed by conventional aircraft.

time-read
1 min  |
June 2024
Saudi Arabia's groundbreaking air taxi trial set to transform Hajj travel for pilgrims
Future Flight

Saudi Arabia's groundbreaking air taxi trial set to transform Hajj travel for pilgrims

In a historic move, Saudi Arabia has successfully conducted its first air taxi trial in Mecca, setting the stage for deployment in the coming years and transforming Hajj transportation for pilgrims.

time-read
2 分  |
June 2024
Lilium, French Government in 'advanced' talks for eVTOL jet manufacturing hub
Future Flight

Lilium, French Government in 'advanced' talks for eVTOL jet manufacturing hub

The German manufacturer says it is in ‘advanced discussions’ with the French government to add a high-volume aircraft production facility in France, citing it as an attractive market for its flagship Lilium Jet. The company plans for the aircraft to enter service in 2026.

time-read
1 min  |
June 2024
Joby partners with Mukamalah Aviation
Future Flight

Joby partners with Mukamalah Aviation

Last month Joby Aviation announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mukamalah, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, the operator of the world's largest fleet of corporate aircraft, to introduce Joby's aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

time-read
3 分  |
June 2024
Joby acquires autonomous flight developer Xwing
Future Flight

Joby acquires autonomous flight developer Xwing

Joby Aviation is one of many electric vertical take-off and landinng (eVTOL) air tax manufacturers that predicts autonomy will be the driver of ubiquitity for advanced air mobility (AAM) services and the company is placing its money where its mouth is.

time-read
3 分  |
June 2024