Deliveries of the aircraft are expected to begin in the
first half of 2024. The initial fleet delivery demonstrates progress in
the exclusive relationship between the two companies supporting Surf
Air Mobility’s development of an electrified Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft.
The Cessna Grand Caravan EX is designed and manufactured by
Textron Aviation.
Surf Air Mobility is a Los Angeles-based regional air
mobility platform expanding the category of regional air travel to reinvent
flying through the power of electrification. The company intends to upgrade the
single-engine turboprop Caravans to their proprietary electric or
hybrid-electric powertrain technology. Surf Air Mobility is targeting the Federal
Aviation Administration supplemental-type certification in 2026.
Surf Air Mobility will use the hybrid electric aircraft across
its own network, connecting more airports with short-haul direct service across
the U.S. on a path to creating a regional mass transport platform. The company will
also be the exclusive provider to Textron Aviation of certain battery electric
and hybrid electric powertrain technology for the Cessna Grand Caravan.
Sudhin Shahani, co-founder and chief executive officer of
Surf Air Mobility, said the company’s relationship with Textron is paramount in
its mission to help “revolutionize air travel.”
“This initial fleet delivery solidifies our commitment to
bringing advanced electric aircraft to market to reduce fuel emissions and the
cost of air travel,” Shahani said in a Textron press release.
The Cessna Caravan fleet of more than 3,000 aircraft is
certified in 100 countries.
Caravan aircraft fulfill roles for multiple missions,
ranging from flight training to recreation, commuter airlines to VIP transport,
cargo carriers and humanitarian missions:
Condor
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Cessna
Grand Caravan EX: First fixed-wing aircraft to be put in service by Rwanda
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