Surf Air Mobility Orders 150 Caravan EXs; Convert To Hybrid-Electric A rather large order has come in to Textron Aviation for up to 150 Cessna Grand Caravan EX single engine turboprop aircraft. The order is really broken down into 100 firm orders and options for 50 more if exercised. The order is from Surf Air Mobility and the company plans to take these stock aircraft and convert them to hybrid-electric. Yes this will involve removing the factory installed Pratt and Whitney PT6 with hybrid-electric systems from around 2024.
This is an immense order and surely they would need additional financing as is the case -in general- with mega orders. The interesting part is not them purchasing the Grand Caravan EXs it is the conversion of them afterwards to hybrid-electric. If you have been paying attention you may remember Surf Air Mobility acquired a company called Ampaire that specialized in Hybrid-Electric technologies. This is going to be the avenue that Surf Air Mobility will be tackling the FAA STC for the hybrid-electric engine swaps. The master plan is to have the hybrid-electric Caravan operating routes that range from 50 to 250 miles. For more information: Surf Air Mobility www.surfairmobility.com ***
