In this episode we speak with Kevin Noertker, co-founder and CEO at Ampaire, about building hybrid electric aircraft and what it takes to turn a bold aviation vision into a product you can certify, deploy, and scale.
Kevin explains how Ampaire began with an ambitious long-term view of fully electric flight, then narrowed to propulsion and onboard power as the practical path to market. He breaks down how founders de-risk big ideas, learn fast, and adapt when infrastructure, regulation, and real-world operations force hard trade-offs.
The conversation also covers early personal sacrifices, how to manage downside risk, why PhD spinouts need customer pull, and how Ampaire defines culture through trusted, practical, compelling values. Kevin closes with a reflection on curiosity, motivation, and why he would choose dinner with Isaac Newton.
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