Ampaire $19 M Hybrid-electric Airplanes

Welcome back to the Aviation Newsletter, your go-to podcast for the pulse of everything that flies. I’m Olivia, and this podcast is powered by the team at Starrime. Whether you’re a lifelong aviation enthusiast, a frequent flyer or simply curious about the world above the clouds, we’re truly grateful to have you with us. This year, we’ll continue to bring you deeper insights, compelling stories from the industry and updates on the technology shaping the future of flight. We always welcome your thoughts and feedback in the comments. The podcast remains available in both English and Chinese. Thank you for being on this journey with us. Now, let’s explore what’s making news in aviation today.https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2026-08-20/ampaire-raises-19-million-hybrid-electric-airplanes1.Ampaire Raises $19 Million for Hybrid-electric AirplanesU.S.-based hybrid-electric propulsion developer Ampaire has raised $19 million in a Series B financing round led by DiamondStream Partners, with Alaska Star Ventures and IAGi Ventures also participating. The new funding will support certification of the Eco Caravan and the 570-kilowatt AMP-H570 powertrain, while also expanding production capabilities, supplier development, aftermarket support, and operations under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). Ampaire expects to achieve type certification for both the AMP-H570 and Eco Caravan in 2027. The company says the Eco Caravan can reduce fuel consumption by 54% to 57% compared with a conventional turboprop Caravan. Meanwhile, Ampaire is working with IAG to explore hybrid-electric auxiliary power unit (APU) applications for existing and new commercial aircraft, with the aim of reducing fuel consumption and emissions during ground operations. The financing comes as some competitors are scaling back their hybrid-electric programs, while Ampaire continues to pursue the commercialization and large-scale deployment of its technology.https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2026-08-19/whisper-aero-flies-electric-glider-its-quiet-fans2.Whisper Aero Flies Electric Glider on Its Quiet FansU.S. aerospace start-up Whisper Aero has announced the first powered flights of its Whisper Powered Swift, an experimental glider equipped with two eQ250 electric ducted fans. The flight-test campaign was conducted at the company’s facility in Crossville, Tennessee, where test pilot Zac Majors completed three flights totaling more than 130 minutes. According to Whisper, all planned test objectives were achieved, marking the transition of the program from gliding validation flights to powered flight testing.The Whisper Powered Swift uses a modified Aériane Swift 3 glider as a flying testbed for Whisper’s electric propulsion technology. Its two eQ250 propulsors can deliver up to 85 pounds of static thrust each and are powered by five Epic 1.0 battery modules. With a 26:1 lift-to-drag ratio, the glider can remain airborne for extended periods on limited battery power, giving engineers more time during each flight to evaluate propulsion performance, acoustics, and handling qualities. Before the powered flights, the program completed progressively ballasted gliding tests, aircraft integration testing, formal readiness reviews, and 1,000 hours of ground-based propulsion life testing.The project has also received a $500,000 grant from the state of Tennessee and is being conducted in cooperation with Tennessee Tech University to demonstrate quiet electric flight. Whisper Aero is developing its low-noise and efficient propulsion technology for a wide range of applications, including military drones, regional aircraft concepts, and consumer products. By pursuing both civil and defense markets, the company aims to address the aviation industry’s challenges of reducing aircraft noise while achieving the cost and efficiency levels required for broader commercial adoption.https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-08-24/louisiana-airport-receives-third-fbo3.Sky X Marks the Spot with FBO at Hammond NorthshoreSky X has opened a new fixed-base operator (FBO) at Hammond Northshore Regional Airport (KHDC) in Louisiana, bringing the airport’s total number of FBOs to three. Located near New Orleans on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, the airport now offers expanded ground services for business aviation operators and passengers. Sky X’s newly built facility includes a two-story, 10,000-square-foot terminal with an open lobby, passenger lounge and refreshment bar, a 14-seat conference room, theater room, recreation room, and showers.The FBO also features a 30,000-square-foot hangar capable of accommodating ultra-long-range business jets. A second phase of development is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and will add two additional hangars, tripling the total hangar space. In addition to FBO services, Sky X provides FAA Part 145 maintenance, AOG rapid-response services, and Part 135 charter operations onsite. As a member of the Avfuel dealer network, it will also offer contract fuel services and a customer loyalty program. The opening expands Hammond Northshore’s business aviation infrastructure and strengthens Sky X’s ability to provide integrated services to business aviation customers.https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-08-21/asias-bizav-show-anticipates-growth-2027-event4.Asia’s Bizav Show Anticipates Growth for 2027 EventOrganizers of the Business Aviation Asia Forum & Expo (BAAFEx) expect the 2027 event in Singapore to grow significantly compared with its inaugural edition in 2025, with the number of exhibitors and attendees potentially increasing by up to 50%. The show will be held at the Changi Exhibition Centre from March 22 to 24, 2027, with organizers expecting around 75 participating companies and more than 3,000 industry professionals. The second edition will broaden its coverage of the business aviation sector, with new focuses on helicopters and eVTOL aircraft, while also providing greater depth in areas such as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).As of August 21, around 20 companies had already confirmed their participation, including Boeing Business Jets, Lufthansa Technik, AEG Fuels, and Amber Aviation. Other expected exhibitors include Gama Aviation, Asia Flight Services, FCG Ops, Hadid International, Gogo, Viasat, and IFOS Aviation Services India. India’s rapidly expanding business aviation market will also become a major new topic for the conference, while the agenda will continue to address developments in Southeast Asia and China.Experia is also seeking to increase the event’s value for exhibitors by attracting high-quality attendees and high-net-worth individuals from across the Asia-Pacific region. The Changi Exhibition Centre will provide a large static display area for business aircraft, despite growing concerns among some manufacturers about the cost of participating in trade shows. According to Asian Sky Group data, new aircraft delivered to Asia-Pacific customers in 2025 were worth a combined $2.24 billion, with long-range business jets accounting for 34.9% of market revenue. The figures highlight the region’s growing and increasingly mature business aviation ecosystem, providing a strong foundation for the expansion of BAAFEx 2027.The audio and content of this podcast shall not be used for AI model training or any other purposes. That’s all for this episode of Aviation Newsletter. Thank you for listening. Podcast by Olivia. Sound Edited by Priscilla. Aviation Newsletter is brought to you by the Starrime team. You can catch our podcast on all major podcast platforms. We also look forward to seeing your comments. See you soon.