Dovetail Electric Aviation signs first binding agreement for electric Cessna Caravan conversion with Ludens Aviation
Dovetail Electric Aviation and Ludens Aviation AS, a Norwegian aviation company connected to the skydiving and aircraft leasing sector, have signed a launch customer agreement.
Under this agreement, Ludens Aviation will become the launch customer and launch operator for Dovetail’s first electric Cessna Caravan conversion. The agreement includes a customer commitment deposit payable by Ludens Aviation, marking the first binding commercial commitment for Dovetail’s electric aircraft retrofit programme.
The agreement establishes a pathway for Ludens Aviation to acquire and operate the first Dovetail-converted electric Caravan following completion of the retrofit programme and issuance of the relevant EASA Supplemental Type Certificate. It also provides a framework for the aircraft to support conversion, testing and pre-certification activities as Dovetail advances towards first flight and certification.
The Cessna Caravan is Dovetail’s first retrofit platform and a key aircraft type in the company’s strategy to decarbonise short-haul aviation. Widely used around the world for regional transport, cargo, island hopping, scenic flights and skydiving operations, the Caravan is especially well suited to electric conversion due to its short-cycle mission profile, strong installed base and operational versatility.
Dovetail’s conversion solution is built around two proprietary technologies: DovePack™, its aviation battery system, and DovePower, its integrated electric propulsion system. Together, these technologies are designed to replace conventional turboprop propulsion and enable quieter, lower-emission and lower-operating-cost aircraft operations.
“This is a major commercial milestone for Dovetail, representing a tipping point as our strong pipeline of LOI’s starts turning into binding agreements, entering into a revenue generation phase. We are excited to find in Ludens not only a launch customer, but also a partner that will help us in bringing our technology to an operational state, promoting further adoption with their vision to deploy electric Caravans for skydiving”, stated Dovetail’s CEO, David Doral.
For Ludens Aviation, the agreement represents an opportunity to become an early operator of electric aircraft technology in Europe, supporting the transition towards quieter and lower-emission aviation in short-cycle operations.
“Electric aircraft and skydiving are a perfect match: short cycles, fixed patterns above the same field, and a community that cares about noise and emissions. With this agreement we are not just ordering an aircraft — we are building the operating model, the charging infrastructure and the financing template that will put electric Caravans to work commercially in Norway. We look forward to seeing the first one climb above Voss” said Kjetil Kriken, Ludens’ CEO.
The agreement also reinforces Norway’s position as an early adopter market for sustainable aviation. Dovetail has seen strong interest from Norwegian operators, particularly in mission profiles such as skydiving, scenic flights and regional island-hopping, where electric and hybrid-electric aircraft can provide a practical and commercially attractive pathway to lower-emission operations.
The aircraft is expected to support Dovetail’s development, testing and certification pathway before entering commercial operations following EASA STC approval. The parties will now move forward with airframe sourcing, technical planning, operational arrangements and certification-related activities.
The agreement marks a significant commercial milestone for Dovetail as the company progresses towards first flight, certification and the launch of its electric aircraft retrofit programme.
