Ampaire has signed a memorandum of understanding with AFI KLM E&M to provide maintenance support for Ampaire’s low-emission aircraft. The MoU will also cover a broad range of mutual interests, from aircraft development, maintenance training & support, and data analytics.
As a part of the contract, both companies will work toward developing training for a worldwide network of ground engineers, installing Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) upgrades and, potential component pooling and operational data analysis to ensure optimal support. This groundwork can be extended to collaborate on the support of a 19-passenger aircraft.
Kevin Noertker, Ampaire Founder and CEO, said: “Ampaire and AFI KLM E&M will work together to explore maintenance support for game-changing low-emissions aircraft on a worldwide basis. AFI KLM E&M’s powerful global network and strong expertise will give operators everywhere high technical confidence in new propulsion systems. These systems will also provide optimized maintenance costs compared to conventional turbines.”
Ton Dortmans, EVP KLM Engineering & Maintenance, said: “This MoU anticipates a future with expanded new ways of air transportation options hand-in-hand with lower emissions. We have chosen to collaborate with Ampaire because their approach is visionary and also extremely methodical and practical, which means these beneficial technologies can be already introduced in the very near future.”
Going ahead, Ampaire plans to make AFI KLM E&M the preferred partner for maintenance training development for electrical aircraft along with the use of modern solutions like augmented reality and virtual reality. The companies are also planning to collaborate on STC installations of Ampaire’s hybrid-electric upgrades through the airline’s global MRO network.
Ampaire is currently in the process of certifying the nine-seat, hybrid-electric Eco Caravan, with a service introduction planned for 2024.