October 2023 Friday’s e-link: Puddle Jumpers and Electric Airplanes

Last updated 10/13/23

Every once in a while, (and sometimes each day) I listen to a great podcast, enjoy an article, or see a good video that I want to share with you.

This week’s favorite podcast took me to flying electric.

In a podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio, I learned all I needed to know about why short distance flight will be the first to go all electric. As the airplanes that fly short distances, pond hoppers and puddle jumpers could be the first airplane EVs.

That, fascinatingly, took me to Cape Cod’s Cape Air and their future plans. Averaging close to 30 years, the Cape Air fleet is old and overdue for replacement. Because its planes service communities that are not far from each other like Boston and Nantucket or San Juan and St. Thomas, they are small. As a result, nine passengers could be on a typical flight. With short flights and small planes, Cape Air is the ideal candidate for the new generation of battery powered airplanes.

Maintenance is easy, emissions are zero, and not needing jet fuel will be a plus. The only problem on Nantucket will be the charging capability. For that, they might have to import their own charging trucks.

From Eviation, this video shows the planes Cape Air will receive: