Ampaire and Tamarack Announce MOU on Aerodynamic Upgrades

Under the agreement, Ampaire will have access to Tamarack’s SMARTWING winglets on all alternative energy variants of the Cessna Caravan 208, de Havilland Twin Otter, and Beechcraft King Air. [Courtesy: Tamarack Aerospace Group]

Ampaire and Tamarack Aerospace Group are partnering to develop aerodynamics upgrades for Ampaire's hybrid electric aircraft fleet. Ampaire will have access to Tamarack's SMARTWING winglets on all alternative energy variants of the Cessna Caravan 208, de Havilland Twin Otter, and Beechcraft King Air.

Tamarack announced the partnership during a press conference at the National Business Aviation Association’s Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) underway this week in Orlando, Florida.

"Tamarack's Performance SMARTWING technology has demonstrated substantial aerodynamic improvements on multiple platforms, including 160 upgraded CitationJets, and our goal aligns closely with Ampaire's to make every aircraft more efficient and sustainable," said Nick Guida, Tamarack's CEO, in a statement.

When applied to approved aircraft platforms, Tamarack's winglet technology is designed to increase fuel efficiency and range and decrease runway takeoffs and landing requirements, especially in less-than-ideal conditions.

Tamarack said the benefits of its winglets, when combined with Ampaire's hybrid Eco Caravan, Eco Otter, and Eco King Air, would significantly increase cost savings and performance improvements.

The two companies have already begun working together to test and validate synergies between Tamarack's Performance SMARTWING winglet technology, which aims to reduce wing load, and Ampaire's hybrid-electric propulsion technology.

"Tamarack's technology is a great match with Ampaire's hybrid propulsion system," said Kevin Noertker, Ampaire's co-founder and CEO, in a statement. "Both work synergistically to upgrade the performance and economics of the proven aircraft operated by our customers."

Progress on King Air Winglets

Tamarack also shared that it is actively talking with the first three pre-sale purchasers of two King Air airframes. Additional orders involve upgrading a King Air 200 and a 350 with Tamarack's Performance SMARTWING technology. Earlier this year, the company said it completed flights on those aircraft with its proprietary winglet technology and that those flights proved to increase endurance, payload, high and hot airfield capabilities, and extended loiter times.

Guida also said his company was enthusiastic about expanding its applications across the King Air fleet.

"There are currently approximately 2,000 King Air 200s and a similar number of King Air 350s in operation today on missions for private business and in the military,” Guida said. “Based on interest, we know a robust sales universe is waiting for our Performance SMARTWING upgrade.”

Ampaire Cessna Caravan 208 Hybrid Electric Jets King Air NBAA NBAA Updates NBAA2022 Smart wing Tamarack Twin Otter Winglets

Michael WildesAuthor

Michael Wildes holds a master’s degree in Logistics & Supply Chain Management, and a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science, both from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Previously, he worked at the university’s flight department as a Flight Check Airman, Assistant Training Manager, and Quality Assurance Mentor. He holds MEI, CFI & CFII ratings. Follow Michael on Twitter @Captainwildes.