Ampaire Electric EEL
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Electric EEL | |
|---|---|
 The Electric EEL is a Cessna 337 Skymaster with an electric forward motor and a battery in its belly pod | |
| General information | |
| Type | hybrid electric aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Ampaire |
| Status | Under development |
| History | |
| Introduction date | planned for 2021[1] |
| First flight | 6 June 2019 (modified 337)[1] |
| Developed from | Cessna 337 Skymaster |
The Ampaire Electric EEL is a hybrid electric aircraft developed by U.S. startup Ampaire, established in Hawthorne, California. The forward piston engine of a Cessna 337 Skymaster (a push-pull aircraft) is replaced by an electric motor powered by a battery, in a parallel hybrid configuration. The demonstrator first flew on 6 June 2019.
Ampaire is replacing the Cessna 337 Skymaster (a push-pull aircraft) forward piston engine with an electric motor.[2] The forward Continental IO-360 piston engine is replaced with an electric motor powered by a battery in a parallel hybrid configuration, optimising power output to reduce operating costs and pollution. The centerline thrust makes the 337 a useful testbed, allowing thrust differences with no yawing unlike a conventional twin-engine aircraft.[3]
Ampaire is marketing the EEL to government departments and private owners while undisclosed commercial operators already placed orders. Manufactured between 1965 and 1982, there is in-service fleet of 2,500 of the six-seat aircraft. EEL refers to the original 337 designation, with the characters reversed. Ampaire wants to offer multiple single and twin-engined aircraft, powered by its proprietary electric-propulsion system.[3]