#69: Cutting Carbon in the Skies Today with Hybrid-Electric Airplanes

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast

Hello Earthlings! In this week’s Tech Spotlight, we feature a company that says the fastest way to get carbon out of aviation isn't electric or hydrogen, but instead hybrids, similar to how hybrid cars were a precursor to electric cars.

Our host Lisa Ann is joined by Kevin Noertker, CEO and co-founder of Ampaire, a leader in developing hybrid electric propulsion for aircraft designed specifically to reduce emissions, noise, and operational costs. Prior to founding the company, Kevin held various roles in engineering at Northrop Grumman and got his start as an undergraduate research fellow at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Join us to learn about how Ampaire has completed over 30,000 miles of successful test flights and proven that it’s possible to run their propulsion system on 100% SAFs produced from electricity and carbon dioxide.

Key Topics:

• Hybrid Electric Propulsion for Aviation: Ampaire is developing hybrid electric propulsion systems for aircraft, which combine combustion engines with electric systems.
• Operational Benefits and Flexibility: The hybrid system provides significant fuel savings, approximately 50%, by using electric power for takeoff and climb and combustion engines for cruising.
• Regulatory and Market Acceptance: Hybrid electric systems are expected to gain faster regulatory approval and market acceptance than fully electric or hydrogen-powered planes.
• Economic and Social Impact: The adoption of hybrid electric propulsion is anticipated to lower operational costs, which could benefit airlines and passengers.

Voices on The Show:

• Kevin Noertker, CEO and co-founder of Ampaire
• Linkedin

• Lisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, and Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability
• LinkedIn: Lisa Ann Pinkerton
• X - Lisa Ann Pinkerton
• Instagram - @LisiAnni
• Technica Communications
• Women in Cleantech and Sustainability

Web Resources:

• Ampaire
• Linkedin

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