Electric aviation company Ampaire has announced the first hybrid-electric aircraft flight of its kind from Scottish soil.

The trials are part of the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) project, which is being led by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL).

Ampaire’s Electric EEL technology demonstrator, based on a six-seat Cessna 337, runs on a combination of battery power and a conventional engine.

The company said it is developing a line 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.

Commenting on the successful flight, Ampaire founder and CEO Kevin Noertker said that the test flight was the “first step” to the decarbonization of Scotland’s aviation industry, while lowering the cost of air service.

“It’s a model for what Ampaire will be able to offer regional carriers everywhere,” Noertker added.

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.

Noertker continued: “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.”

Welcoming the initiative, Graeme Dey, Scottish Government Minister for Transport commented: “The Kirkwall test center 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 decarbonize scheduled passenger flights within Scotland by 2040.”

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

SATE forms part of the UKRI’s Future Flight Challenge, created to test low-carbon aviation technologies, as well as investigate the airport infrastructure necessary to support sustainable aviation

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Lorna Jack, chair of HIAL, 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, decarbonize 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.”