THE first hybrid electric aircraft flights in Scotland have taken place over the Pentland Firth, from Kirkwall Airport on Orkney to Wick John O’Groats Airport on the mainland.

They are part of the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (Sate) project, led by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), and are the first to operate on a viable regional airline route.

Ampaire, a leader in electric aviation, used their Electric EEL technology demonstrator, a modified six-seat Cessna 337 that runs on battery power and a conventional combustion engine, for the flight.

The company is developing a series of hybrid electric powertrain upgrades that will reduce emissions and operating costs by as much as 25% initially, allowing regional airlines to better serve lifeline routes in Scotland and around the world.

“Today’s flight to Wick went without a hitch, flying at 3500 feet and 120 miles per hour,” said Ampaire test pilot Justin Gillen.

“The Electric EEL is easy to fly and we’ve achieved a total five hours here so far.”

Kevin Noertker, the company’s founder and CEO said: “This is an important first step to decarbonising Scottish regional aviation, while lowering the cost of air service.

“It’s a model for what Ampaire will be able to offer regional carriers everywhere.” T Noertker said the company sees its hybrid electric upgrades as a catalyst to zero-emission, all-electric aircraft, as battery technology advances and airport charging infrastructure matures.

He said: “With CO2 emissions rising 70% faster than predicted, transition to zero emission technology is critical. We’re pleased to be taking a big step in that direction here in Scotland.”

Scottish Transport Minister, Graeme Dey, said: “The Kirkwall test centre and companies such as Ampaire put Scotland at the forefront of the transition to low-carbon aviation.

“These demo flights are an important step towards delivering our commitment to decarbonise scheduled passenger flights within Scotland by 2040.”

Sate is based at Kirkwall Airport, which is also home to the UK’s first operationally based low-carbon aviation test centre, and is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.

It is part of the UKRI’s Future Flight Challenge, created to test low-carbon aviation technologies and investigate the airport infrastructure necessary to support sustainable aviation.

HIAL chair Lorna Jack said: “The Sate project is a very important collaboration for HIAL. Our involvement means we can support innovative projects from our partners to achieve a shared goal, decarbonise our operations and deliver environmentally sustainable aviation. “Ampaire is leading the way in delivering electric-powered aircraft that could provide a viable alternative power source for the aviation sector.

“It is very exciting to see this technology being tested for the first time in Scotland and we are proud that Kirkwall Airport is the hub for this and future Sate projects.

“Our aim is for HIAL to be at the forefront of Scotland’s efforts to transition to a low carbon future.”

Once the Sate flight trials are completed, the Ampaire aircraft will travel on to South West England where it will perform further demonstration flights between Exeter and Cornwall.

Ampaire senior vice president for global operations, Susan Ying, added: “We are delighted to have made history in Scotland this week with these pioneering hybrid electric flights on commercially viable lifeline routes, an important segue to scheduled, sustainable air service.

“Hybrid-electric aircraft achieve two objectives: reducing harmful emissions and reducing cost of operations to the point that routes such as Wick-Kirkwall become viable for regional carriers.

“They can also make current routes more profitable while lowering fares and strengthening connectivity.”