A local aviation company completed its first landing of an electric-hybrid aircraft at Long Beach Airport on Thursday.
Dubbed the “Electric EEL,” the experimental plane created by Long Beach-based Ampaire landed at the city airport following an 85-mile, 35-minute flight from the company’s hangar in Camarillo, Calif.
In a news release, company CEO Kevin Noertker said the landing served as a “significant leap” in its goal to bring to market a hybrid-electric propulsion system that expels considerably less emissions than traditional aircraft.
“It’s crucial that new technology airplanes achieve the ability to safely operate in airspace associated with major airports,” Noertker said. “This we have demonstrated many times before, but never so close to home. This milestone speaks to the progress we’re making in building trust in cleaner, more efficient, and accessible air travel.”…