2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

U.S. operator will convert Grand Caravan EX aircraft to hybrid-electric propulsion

Surf Air Mobility Receives First Four Cessna Grand Caravans

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Surf Air Technologies subsidiary will develop "SurfOS" software

Surf Air Mobility Introduces Software for Electric Aircraft 

Surf Air Mobility has confirmed its intention to include Electra’s hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft in its planned fleet. Under an agreement announced on Thursday, the U.S. regional air services group said it has secured “preferred delivery positions” for 90 of the nine-passenger aircraft, which are expected to be able to take off and land in just 150 feet.
Electra aims to certify its aircraft under FAA’s Part 23 rules in 2028 and expects to start flight testing a full-scale prototype in 2026. Surf Air said it will deploy the aircraft with its Southern Airways Express and Mokulele Airlines subsidiaries.
The two companies will work together to define the most suitable routes for the eSTOL blown-wing design, with Electra maintaining that sectors of between 50 and 500 miles will be the most cost-effective. Under the agreement, Surf Air may also lease the aircraft to other operators providing lift for its regional air mobility network. According to Electra, Surf Air’s “aircraft-as-a-service” approach to providing finance and support for smaller Part 135 operators will help new entrants refresh regional air service with new routes. 
Surf Air is already working&nbsp;to convert the <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2024-01-05/east-african-airlines-commit-surf-air-mobilitys-plan-electrify-cessna">Cessna Grand Caravan </a>aircraft to run on a hybrid-electric powertrain it is developing. It has also committed to acquiring&nbsp;Regent’s 12-seat Viceroy electric sea glider.
“[Electra’s] innovations around hybrid-electric, short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft—which can essentially take off and land on a football field-sized space—will unlock tremendous opportunities within the changing landscape of regional air mobility,” commented Surf Air Mobility CEO Stan Little. “We intend to leverage our leading position to become the definitive launch platform for new advanced air mobility aircraft technologies, such as Electra.”
As of January, Electra was reporting provisional sales agreements with around 36 prospective operators covering more than 2,000 of its aircraft. Last year, it started flight testing a <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-11-20/electra-starts-flight-tests-hybrid-electric-stol-technology-demonstrator">two-seat technology demonstrator</a> called the Goldfinch.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Surf Air Mobility Adds Electra's eSTOL Aircraft to Future Fleet Plans

East African operators Safarilink and Yellow Wings Air Services have agreed to convert their Cessna Caravan turboprop singles to the electric propulsion system being developed by Surf Air Mobility and partners. In memorandums of understanding announced on January 4, the companies did not commit to buying a specific amount of the conversions, but each currently operates between four and 15 of the nine-passenger Caravans.
U.S.-based Surf Air intends to be the launch customer for the conversion package, for which it is working to gain an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC). It plans to offer both <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-09-26/surf-air-sees-hybrid-propulsion-fast-track-sustainable-air-travel">hybrid-electric and all-electric powertrains</a>, with the latter expected to deliver operating cost savings of between 40 and 50 percent compared with the original aircraft, as well as eliminating carbon dioxide emissions.
To date, Surf Air has been working with electric motor developer MagniX, as well as systems integrator AeroTec. However, it has yet to confirm the supplier for the motor and expects to name two prospective partners in the coming months.
Kenya-based Yellow Wings provides charter flights to more than 500 airfields across East Africa. Safarilink operates scheduled domestic services in both Tanzania and Kenya.
Both prospective customers for the electric Caravan conversion indicated that environmental considerations are strong factors in their decision to partner with Surf Air. Concerns over carbon emissions from high-end tourism are just one facet of the move to decarbonizing flights in developing world markets.
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<figcaption>Yellow Wings Air Services operates a fleet of Cessna Caravan aircraft on charter services in East Africa. (Image: Yellow Wings)</figcaption>
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“We are committed to doing everything possible to preserve the natural beauty of the countries we operate in,” said Safarilink CEO Alex Avedi. “Implementing Surf Air Mobility’s electric powertrain technology will help us reduce the noise and minimize the climate impact of our flights as we help people from all over the world to experience our region’s incredible ecosystem.”
In Kenya, the government has committed to replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources as early as 2030. “We strongly believe in alternative propulsion for air travel,” Yellow Wings CEO Christian Strebel said. “We have always been the frontrunners in adopting new systems and innovations. Kenya, with 91 percent carbon-free power generation, is the ideal country to spearhead this movement.”
<h3 class="subheading">Electric Propulsion Economics Could Open New Routes</h3>
According to Surf Air Mobility CEO Stan Little, electric propulsion will lay the economic foundations for what he expects to be a resurgence in short-haul air travel. The company anticipates the all-electric version of the Caravan will operate on sectors of up to roughly 100 miles, which it says is comparable to around 30 percent of current commercial flights with the type.
Under an agreement in place with Textron, Surf Air Mobility has placed orders for 100 new Caravans, with options for another 50. It plans to start adding these aircraft to its 50-strong fleet from April at an anticipated delivery rate of 20 Caravans per year. Textron has plans to install the electric propulsion system on subsequent new-build Caravans.
“We want to deploy as many Caravans as possible today to be ready for the conversion to electric [propulsion] and start opening up additional markets,” Little told AIN. For instance, Surf Air has agreed to begin flights to Purdue University outside Chicago, which hasn’t had commercial service for more than two decades; the university is underwriting and subsidizing the operation.
The operator sees other opportunities, such as providing new connections between Los Angeles and San Diego using smaller airports. Little said numerous other communities could benefit from the operating economics of electric Caravans, using airports that are “too small for a [Boeing] 737 but too big not to have air service.”
Surf Air is not publicly announcing a timeline for getting the STC and starting conversions, but Little suggested that,&nbsp;with an already-certified airframe, it has a smoother path to market than rival start-ups working on clean-sheet designs. Several European companies, including <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-09-15/heart-unveils-plans-30-seat-electric-regional-airliner-new-backers">Heart Aerospace,</a> <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-06-21/aura-aero-scores-new-orders-hybrid-electric-airliner">Aura Aero</a>, and <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-12-12/switching-plans-maeve-will-develop-80-seat-hybrid-electric-regional">Maeve</a>, are working on larger new hybrid-electric regional airliners, and in the U.S., <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-08-04/eviation-outsources-design-all-electric-alice-commuter-airplane">Eviation</a> is developing an all-electric, nine-passenger aircraft called the Alice. <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-12-13/ampaire-claims-record-12-hour-hybrid-electric-flight">Ampaire</a>, with which Surf Air previously hasd a partnership, is also working on plans to convert the Caravan to use its hybrid-electric propulsion system.
Within the next eight to 12 months, Surf Air expects to be ready to announce pricing for the powerplant conversion. Fred Reid, the company’s global head of business development, suggested that the anticipated cost of below $1 million will seem good value in the context of mandatory overhauls of existing Pratt &amp; Whitney PT6A engines that can involve an outlay by operators of between $400,000 and $700,000. He added that acquisition costs for new Caravan aircraft are markedly lower than anticipated prices for new in-development sub-regional airliners.
<h3 class="subheading">Africa, Asia, and South America Are Target Markets</h3>
According to Reid, Africa, Asia, and South America are all regions rich in opportunities for new regional air services based on electric propulsion. He said that in countries like Kenya and Tanzania, where Safrilink and Yellow Wings operate, limited ground infrastructure—combined with economic and environmental pressures—will be strong drivers of demand for solutions like electric Caravans. Surf Air also has a fleet conversion agreement in place with Brazilian airline Azul.
Surf Air intends to provide the converted aircraft via a network of local MRO providers. It feels that supply chain backlogs will make it slower to bring the hybrid-electric propulsion option to market than the all-electric option. Reid predicted that between 2027 and 2035, demand for electric aircraft will outstrip supply in a trend that will reward early adopters of the technology.
In July 2023, Los Angeles-based Surf Air Mobility achieved a listing on the <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-11-18/surf-air-mobility-goes-it-alone-share-flotation-after-spac-deal-collapses">New York Stock Exchange</a> after completing a merger with regional carrier Southern Airways Express. Through a share subscription arrangement with financial group GEM, the company has access to at least $100 million in funding, with a further $300 million potentially available in subsequent tranches.
According to Little, so far it has only drawn on around $9.3 million of this funding to advance its plans for the electric Caravan aircraft. In 2022, Surf Air generated pro forma revenues of just over $100 million and, based on its recent third-quarter results, appears to be on track to exceed this amount for 2023.
Many of the air services provided by the Surf Air flight booking platform are provided by other carriers, with some 200 operators having supported its business in 2023. The company has also committed to adding Regent’s wing-in-ground-effect seaglider to its fleet for coastal services in Hawaii, Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.

East African Airlines Commit to Surf Air Mobility's Plan to Electrify Cessna Caravan Aircraft

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Brazilian airline seeks to convert 27 Cessna Caravans to electric power

Azul Plans To Electrify Caravan Fleet with Surf Air

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Aircraft deliveries to commence in 2024

Textron Confirms Surf Air Order for 20 Grand Caravan EXs

Mark Huber

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Stock market cool to electric air mobility company's stock listing

Surf Air Wipes Out as Stock Listing Tanks

Gregory Polek

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Flight booking platform Surf Air plans to list its stock in an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange.

Surf Air Mobility To Go Public on NYSE

Surf Air Mobility’s strategic move into electric aviation took a new twist this week when the flight booking platform said it will be going public on its own following the termination of its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-05-18/surf-air-fund-hybrid-electric-fleet-conversion-plan-through-initial-public">$1.42 billion merger</a>&nbsp;with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Tuscan Holdings Corporation II. The “mutually agreed”&nbsp;<a href="https://prod.uploads.slack.files.api.cncms.aero/F04BFJRFZT5/Inline XBRL Viewer.pdf">termination</a>&nbsp;was approved by both companies’ board&nbsp;of directors, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
In a separate,&nbsp;<a href="https://cdn.surfair.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/16191250/Form-S-1-Press-Release.pdf">confidential filing</a>&nbsp;S-1 with the SEC this week, Surf Air announced plans to pursue a direct listing of its common stock. The plan awaits approval from the SEC. A Surf Air spokeswoman told&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;that the company could not comment further on the termination of the Tuscan Holdings merger nor its plans for a direct listing.
Surf Air announced the SPAC merger in May, expecting to raise about $467 million in funding for its plan to integrate electric aircraft into the fleets of its partner operators.
That deal came on the heels of the company’s plans <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-04-26/ampaire-seeks-new-funding-hybrid-electric-plans-surf-air-acquisition">to acquire</a>&nbsp;hybrid-electric propulsion pioneer Ampaire falling apart in April, 14 months after they were announced in February 2021. Ampaire is working to secure an FAA supplemental type certificate (STC) to convert the Cessna Grand Caravan, and also has plans to switch other larger existing aircraft to hybrid-electric power.
After falling out with Ampaire, <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2021-09-26/surf-air-sees-hybrid-propulsion-fast-track-sustainable-air-travel">Surf Air</a> said it would press ahead with its own plans to convert the Grand Caravan, working with a rival propulsion system developer MagniX and airframe modification specialist AeroTec. It too is seeking an STC to convert existing aircraft.
Last month, Surf Air signed a $450 million facility with <a href="https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2022-10-11/surf-air-signs-450-million-funding-commitment-leasing-group-jetstream">Jetstream Aviation Capital </a>to fund the planned growth of its own turboprop fleet. In an October 11 announcement, Jetstream, a U.S. leasing group specializing in&nbsp;commercially operated turboprop regional aircraft and engines,&nbsp;also agreed to purchase up to 250 hybrid- and all-electric propulsion systems for existing aircraft&nbsp;from Surf Air.
Los Angeles-based Surf Air said it plans to gain access to the financing facility over the next six years to acquire both new and used Cessna Caravan and Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, subject to separate binding purchase and lease agreements for each individual aircraft. Jetstream intends to take delivery of the 250 hybrid and fully electric powertrains from Surf Air over the course of five years, subject to FAA certification and the negotiation of pricing terms and the minimum commitment and definitive documentation. 
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Surf Air Mobility

News

Surf Air Mobility Receives First Four Cessna Grand Caravans

Surf Air Mobility Introduces Software for Electric Aircraft

Surf Air Mobility Adds Electra's eSTOL Aircraft to Future Fleet Plans

East African Airlines Commit to Surf Air Mobility's Plan to Electrify Cessna Caravan Aircraft

Azul Plans To Electrify Caravan Fleet with Surf Air

Textron Confirms Surf Air Order for 20 Grand Caravan EXs

Surf Air Wipes Out as Stock Listing Tanks

Surf Air Mobility To Go Public on NYSE

Surf Air Mobility Goes It Alone With Share Flotation After SPAC Deal Collapses

Surf Air Signs $450M Funding Commitment with Jetstream

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