A new test center in the Orkney Islands of Scotland is exploring the future of low-emission air travel with the introduction of a hybrid electric aircraft. The project, led by avionics company Ampaire, features a reconfigured Cessna Skymaster with one of its two engines replaced by a fully electric motor—an innovation that could pave the way for retrofitting small aircraft to reduce fuel consumption and emissions on short-range routes.
This modified Skymaster is the first hybrid electric aircraft to take off from Ampaire’s sustainable aviation test facility at Kirkwall Airport. The center, built at a cost of £3.7 million, was designed specifically for projects aimed at advancing eco-friendly aviation. The experimental flight marks a significant milestone in the move toward greener air transport options for Scotland’s numerous remote and island-based communities.
Originally built in 1974 with dual gas-powered engines, the Skymaster underwent its electric conversion at Ampaire’s California headquarters. It was then tested in Hawaii before being shipped to Scotland for a test run between Wick—a northern town on the Scottish mainland—and the Orkney Islands. This 37-mile (60 km) flight took the plane across the turbulent northern seas, simulating the kinds of conditions that regular island-hopping routes experience.
Test pilot Justin Gillen described the unique sound profile of the aircraft: “It’s the only hybrid-electric plane that I know of flying today. As the airplane is approaching, you hear the propeller, which is a kind of blade-through-the-air sound, and then you hear the throatier sound of the engine. With our electric engine, you hear the propeller but that’s pretty much it.”
The Cessna Skymaster’s push-pull design places one engine at the front of the aircraft and another at the rear. The front motor, now fully electric, is considerably smaller than the internal combustion engine at the back. Beneath the fuselage, a large battery rack powers the electric motor. Ampaire claims the battery can power the aircraft for several hours under optimal conditions, although each hour of flight currently requires about 90 minutes of charging time.
Despite these recharging limitations, Susan Ying, an Ampaire representative, emphasized the long-term benefits: “It will fly cleaner, be more efficient and more economical.” The ultimate goal, she added, is to scale this electric technology from short regional flights to medium and eventually long-haul journeys as battery performance improves.
These advancements are especially critical for island-based communities like Orkney, where road connections are nonexistent and small aircraft provide essential transport links. The cost of aviation fuel is a major concern for such routes, and electric power presents an opportunity to reduce both expenses and environmental impact.
Helicopters and aircraft like the Cessna Skymaster are already commonly used for these short-haul island hops. As hybrid models become more viable, they offer the promise of quieter, cleaner, and more cost-effective travel. The challenges are significant—aviation fuel has far greater energy density than today’s batteries—but companies like Ampaire remain confident that technology will close the gap.
The test flight in Scotland represents more than just a proof of concept; it signals the aviation industry’s commitment to developing sustainable solutions for regional air travel. As battery technology evolves and retrofitting becomes more accessible, hybrid and fully electric aircraft could soon become the new standard for short-distance flights.
Photo Credit: BBC