African Airlines Commit to Surf Air's Electric Caravan Aircraft
East African operators Safarilink and Yellow Wing Air Services have agreed to convert their Cessna Caravan aircraft to the electric propulsion system being developed by Surf Air Mobility and partners. In memorandums of understanding announced on Thursday the companies did not commit to buying specific numbers of the conversions, but each currently operates between 4 and 15 of the turboprop model.
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 hybrid-electric and all-electric powertrains, with the latter expected to deliver operating cost savings of between 40 and 50 percent compared with the existing aircraft, as well as eliminating carbon dioxide emissions.
Source: AIN