Electrifying Aviation with Kevin Noertker

In this episode, we traveled to Long Beach Airport. There, we chatted with Kevin Noertker, the co-founder and CEO of Ampaire. Kevin is building a new type of airplane: a hybrid-electric model. This could change the aviation industry.

Ampaire upgrades current aircraft with hybrid-electric engines. They want to improve the systems they have instead of building new planes. It’s faster, safer, and uses less fuel. The goal? A better way to fly—no need to wait for perfect battery tech or global charging stations.

“Sometimes the best way to change the world is to start with what already flies.”

5 Key Takeaways

1. Hybrid is the Bridge to Fully Electric

Ampaire sees hybrid-electric as the real path to sustainable flight. The Toyota Prius set the stage for Tesla. Hybrid aircraft will also show the benefits of electric power. This will happen before fully electric planes take flight.

2. Retrofitting Beats Reinventing

Ampaire aims to improve old planes instead of creating new ones. This saves money, speeds up timelines, and gets faster approval from regulators.

3. Build for Today’s Infrastructure

Electric planes need strong charging stations. Most airports, however, don’t have them. Ampaire’s hybrid planes can charge with plugs, but they fly just as well without them.

4. Government Support is Key

Ampaire has raised more than $55 million. This includes $25 million from government grants that won’t dilute shares. The funding comes from NASA, the Air Force, and the Department of Energy. These partnerships give funding for testing and development work. They also help lower risk.

5. Safety and Trust Come First

Ampaire’s hybrid planes include a traditional engine as backup. This feature ensures higher safety than many of the aircraft in use today. That makes it easier for airlines, pilots, and regulators to get on board with new technology.

Final Thoughts

This chat showed that real progress often comes from using what we already have, not just big dreams. Ampaire’s approach to electric aviation is smart, grounded, and strategic.

They aren’t waiting for perfect batteries or global infrastructure. Instead, they’re building hybrid planes now, flying them safely, and creating a bridge to the fully electric future.

In aviation, safety and trust are everything. Hybrid planes offer a path to cleaner skies.

🎧 Listen to Episode 33 here: