Conference Program

The Airbus electrification journey started a few years ago with the E-Fan demonstrators, followed by the launch of Vahana, which paved the way to all-electric vertical flight, confirmed today with the CityAirbus NextGen demonstrator. To reach the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) goals aimed at stabilizing CO2 emissions with carbon-neutral growth and reducing net emissions from air travel, Airbus is investing its research efforts in electrification by exploring some of the key technologies of hybridization, such as e-motors, power distribution, motor controllers and new architectures. In this journey, electric flight demonstrators are crucial stepping stones to explore different sets of technologies ranging from incremental improvements to revolutionary technologies like hybridization and fully electric UAM platforms, toward disruption with hydrogen or superconductivity. In this talk we will share Airbus’s group-wide energy sustainability efforts toward clean aerospace and a net-zero carbon footprint for the 2050 horizon.

The advanced air mobility market is incredibly exciting, offering the opportunity to transform the way we travel. Rolls-Royce is offering customers a complete electric and hybrid electric power and propulsion system for their platforms. Through the Rolls-Royce electrical business, a global team is developing solutions for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL), electric short take-off/landing (eSTOL) and electric fixed-wing commuter aircraft. The president of Rolls-Royce’s electrical business, Rob Watson, will talk about the electric and hybrid electric capabilities and technology being developed by Rolls-Royce and will give an overview of the industry landscape and the steps needed to deliver the opportunities the advanced air mobility market offers.

Hydroplane is developing an aviation-specific hydrogen fuel cell powerplant for vertical lift, urban air mobility and fixed-wing aviation platforms. This presentation will review the opportunities and challenges for truly decarbonizing aviation, with green hydrogen as an energy carrier.

Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding program for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion. It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth. Hybrid electric aviation research is one of the priorities over the period of 2021-2027. The presentation will provide an overview of the Horizon Europe structure and funding opportunities as well as present the technical results of ongoing relevant research projects.

Hybrid-electric propulsion holds considerable potential to improve aircraft efficiency across a range of different applications in support of the aviation industry’s goal of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions for air travel by 2050. Mr Jason Solomonides will draw from Pratt & Whitney studies and demonstrators ranging from UAM to single-aisle aircraft applications to explain the potential of hybrid-electric with common building blocks, and how it intersects with other technologies and alternative fuels that will be required for net zero. The rapidly advancing field of electrified aircraft propulsion will help improve the efficiency of motor and battery systems that will ultimately facilitate even greater efficiencies for hybrid-electric systems.

Wright Electric proposes to build short haul, single-aisle, zero-emissions aircraft using next-generation motors, aerodynamics and energy storage. The presentation will describe the details of Wright's aircraft development program.

In addition to ongoing aircraft performance improvements (e.g. NLF, advanced composite and metallic structures, electrical ice protection and integration mass reductions), GKN have been working on a number of sustainable aircraft initiatives including validation of the RM12 engine for 100% SAF, Cryogenic Hydrogen Electric Propulsion, Cryogenic Fuel Systems, Electrical Propulsors and also technologies for Hydrogen Combustion expanding knowledge they use on the Vulcain rocket. GKN Aerospace will briefly touch on what they have been doing since the GKN and Fokker e-volution program introducing the H2GEAR (Hybrid HydroGen Electric ArchitectuRe) project, challenges and the scalability of the system for zero emissions propulsion.

In this session, Julian will address the scope of carbon emissions generated by today’s aviation sector and the challenges in emission reduction with the existing solutions. He will then discuss emerging trends in aviation electrification and specifically cover ZeroAvia’s breakthrough hydrogen electric powertrain technology for commercial aircraft. Most importantly, Julian will convey how innovations like ZeroAvia’s will impact the aviation industry, what current major airline partners like British Airways and Alaska Airlines are trying to achieve when it comes to sustainability goals, and when we can expect to see large-scale, decarbonized commercial jets in our skies.

Most large aircraft currently use twin turbofans and the design process for these is well established. Moving to electrical propulsion doesn't just impact the propulsion system but fundamentally alters the way in which the whole aircraft must be designed from the first panel to final testing, including the aerodynamic design. This may seem far fetched to some readers and the effect of bias from electrical engineers, however, the fundamental differences in scaling and safety design approaches mean there is no other option. Furthermore, the design now has to be fully integrated to the point where individual product specifications can no longer be issued by the designer or airframer but must be developed as part of the design. This directly impacts the supply chain, which in fact must become part of the design authority for the aircraft. These three key effects will be outlined in the paper and examples will be given in each case that leads to radical changes to aircraft design.

Based on the technological experience of the last 15 years and seven flight test campaigns, H2Fly will build and deliver the first upscaled 1.5MW hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrain for commercial aviation. By installing the powertrain into a 40-seater aircraft with an expected range of more than 2000km, real transport capacity can be delivered. The presentation will show the technical status of the project and deliver insights into hydrogen storage and conversion on board aircraft.

The H2020-funded project FUTPRINT50 identifies and develops the technologies and configurations required for the entry into service of a 50-seat hybrid electric regional aircraft by 2035/40. In this context, the presentation will focus on the technology options, in particular for energy storage, energy conversion and thermal management, a down-selection of potential powertrain architectures and their influence on aircraft configuration. An analysis of technology gaps and regulatory requirements will show what is required to deliver on the ambitious entry into service target which could open up new possibilities in the regional market.

Electric, hydrogen, SAFs, or something in between – what technology will win for narrowbody scale sustainable aircraft? What is the best for the environment, considering both CO2 and non-CO2 effects? Moreover, what will be the necessary technological developments and the commercial implications? Following on the heels of their EHATS 2021 presentation, Roland Berger and NLR have teamed up again to answer the most complex questions as our industry undergoes the sustainability transition.

Hybrid electric power provides electric aircraft with greater energy density and significantly expanded mission performance while also reducing fuel consumption. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) provide a net-zero carbon cycle for operating aircraft. The intersection of hybrids and SAFs creates an interesting design space for the highest performing, lowest technology risk, lowest operating cost method for achieving zero net carbon flight. The high efficiency of diesel cycle engines operating on SAF accelerates the adoption of SAF as the price of sustainable fuels reduces over time at a faster rate than battery energy density and cycle lifetime improve.

An overview of the developments at the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) will be given about the progress made within the hydrogen research program. The feasibility of having high-pressure hydrogen (GH2) on board fuel cell-powered drones is demonstrated with the Hydra 1 and 2 drones. The liquid hydrogen infrastructure at NLR is being prepared and a first demonstration flight with a Hydra 2 on LH2 is expected in 2022.

Reducing climate change is a critical challenge worldwide. With the imperative to reduce carbon footprint, hydrogen propulsion has the potential to play a major part in aviation decarbonization. One key component in realizing the potential of hydrogen is collaboration with the digital continuity, from organizations to leaders and jurisdictions but also across all hydrogen programs. Using a single source of truth accelerates product delivery, enabling system integration among all program partners and suppliers. It also supports decision makers and investors in deploying hydrogen at scale, by accelerating innovations, reducing costs and developing the workforce of tomorrow.

The evolution of aircraft towards the use of hydrogen as fuel requires the conversion of existing test benches. MDS leverages its experience in the integration of hydrogen supply for industrial gas turbines for its integration in aircraft powerplant tests. Several areas require attention: identification of test article fuel delivery processes; safe hydrogen storage and handling design including code compliance, exhaust system design/deflagration and material selection; accessing hydrogen in sufficient quantities; and additional considerations for integration in existing facilities. Overall, MDS's study reveals the feasibility and challenges of hydrogen aircraft tests.

A brief overview of US Federal Aviation Administration Part 103 (“Ultralight Vehicle”) regulations. Aircraft meeting the requisite criteria do not currently require certification, and operators of these aircraft do not need a pilot’s license. But with these broad freedoms, comes great responsibility.

The Transformative Vertical Flight Working Groups are developing a technological and operational road map for advanced air mobility (AAM). They are a joint program of the Vertical Flight Society and NASA made up of a community of aerospace professionals that include technical, regulatory and business expertise. In this session, two of the co-chairs of the TVF working group focused on commercial applications will discuss the multiple elements this group is weaving together into a road map and white paper. Topics include infrastructure analysis, concepts of operations, system master planning, sustainability, cargo and passenger applications, energy and utility needs, urban and transportation planning, and issues of equity and multimodal integration.

Recent developments in electric propulsion coupled with advanced manufacturing and autonomous systems have created the possibility of transitioning into the next age of air mobility propelled by electric/hybrid VTOL aircraft technology. In the next decades, eVTOL aircraft will have the potential to become an essential tool to public service agencies around the world in applications such as fighting wildfires, logistics of natural disasters and humanitarian crises, medevac, law enforcement and public safety, and last-mile aerial delivery. These specific use cases are investigated, with opportunities and challenges identified for eVTOL and AAM industry development to enable practical and effective public service operations.

VoltAero is taking electric aircraft to an entirely new level, paving the way for a new era of regional air transportation. Benefitting from 80-plus years of combined pioneering expertise, VoltAero is developing a truly unique general aviation airplane with hybrid electric propulsion for safe, quiet, efficient and ecofriendly flight. With seating capacities from four to 10 passengers, Cassio aircraft will offer 3.5 hours of flight autonomy – enabling flight distances of up to 1,200km. It has already covered 130 flights, 110 flight hours, landed in 28 cities and crossed the Channel to land in the UK.

The presentation will showcase the goals achieved by the European MAHEPA project, in which two different hybrid electric aircraft were successfully tested in flight. MAHEPA not only demonstrated that flying hybrid is already possible but also posited the basis for the future development of zero-emission technology. This basis has been well captured by the European UNIFIER19 project. The discussion will focus on how the experience matured within MAHEPA is crucial for the future liquid-hydrogen hybrid electric aircraft designs explored in UNIFIER19, where the innovative micro-feeder service is being evaluated from a technical and financial point of view.

Electrifying aerospace propulsion is considered to be a key method to reduce the environmental impact of aviation. Beyond all-electric, other architectures such as serial, parallel or soft hybrid have been explored and evaluated over the last few years. Rolls-Royce Electrical’s Program Director, Olaf Otto, is going to show his current view of this landscape, and discuss parts of the product landscape in development to meet these requirements.

In 2021, Ampaire’s six-seat hybrid electric broke the record for the longest distance flown with a hybrid electric aircraft, by flying 418 nautical miles and proving that range is not an issue for hybrid electric aircraft as opposed to fully electric aircraft. Long and short flights performed with the hybrid electric aircraft have shown fuel savings of over 30% compared with the baseline existing airframe. Clean-sheet designs will allow further fuel savings due to reductions in ballast by eliminating parts that are no longer needed. Furthermore, using a 100% SAF blend in hybrid electric aircraft will reduce direct net CO2 emissions to near zero.

With the advent of jet engines, we have seen the success and a plethora of opportunities unlocked following the second aviation revolution that made international travel possible. What if we can replicate such successful connectivity at a closer level? And what if the key to unlocking such closer connectivity lies in vertical mobility? To answer these questions, one cannot help but delve deeper into the implementation of air taxis within an urban setting in the aspirations of UAM. However, one may be taking a step too far. A possible correct step forward is to move from achieving connectivity at the regional to subregional level before we attempt to deploy vertical UAM. Vertical mobility in the subregional context is intercity air travel that is safe, sustainable and accessible for everyone in the near future.

This presentation highlights the challenges of trying to create a whole new transportation path with comparable safety to that of the current airline transportation system. The discussion will include opportunities for systems safety and occupant protection using the new performance-based rules flexibility that allows easier incorporation of new technology.

The Future Flight Challenge from UK Research and Innovation is creating a distributed and digitialised future aviation system for zero-carbon advanced air mobility, drones and regional air mobility. Challenge Director, Gary Cutts shares more about the novel approach, roadmap and next steps for making Future Flight a reality.

A large share of advanced air mobility vehicle designs leverage distributed electric propulsion to achieve new capabilities such as vertical or very short take-off and landing, more quiet operation or more efficient cruise. However, battery electric energy storage heavily limits range and limits the payload such a vehicle can carry. Hybrid electric propulsion resolves this challenge - allowing aircraft designs to reap the benefits of distributed electric propulsion while maintaining payload and range capability. Electra.Aero has designed and tested a custom battery and turbogenerator hybrid electric propulsion system for integration into its eSTOL manned flight demonstrator. This presentation discusses the hybrid electric architecture, test results and learnings from this development effort.

This presentation offers a brief description of the Advanced Air Mobility Mode Shift Demand Modelling technique developed by Swanson Aviation Consultancy and Aveo Advisory. It sets out how we use novel data sources combined with traditional and new demand modeling techniques to identify passengers who will switch from road and rail modes of transport to AAM modes of travel. We can forecast the number of passengers and then develop indicative schedules needed to service the demand. The scheduling analysis provides insights into the number of aircraft required, annual utilization, carbon emissions savings over other modes of transport, infrastructure requirements including peak power requirements and mitigation techniques. This analysis provides insights that investors need to make investment decisions, including OEMs, operators and landing infrastructure providers.

The presentation focuses on the design of a safe, all-electric multirotor propulsion system for urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles, in particular, future air taxis as analyzed within the German Aerospace Center project ‘HorizonUAM’. Meeting the highly demanding certification requirements in terms of system reliability of an all-electric multirotor propulsion system is a major system design challenge. Additional difficulties that need to be considered include the power supply, thermal management and the interaction of flight control and propulsion functions. Using a model-based systems engineering approach, the safety-critical design aspects will be analyzed and different propulsion system architectures will be discussed.

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is a broad concept focusing on emerging markets and use cases for aviation in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Technological advances are quickly pushing AAM from the fringe to the mainstream, and cities and states have begun to plan for the integration of aviation into their transportation and urban planning. However, as an emerging concept, AAM will face many barriers, such as safety; the regulatory environment; airspace access; noise; community acceptance; environmental impacts; infrastructure; intermodalism; and security. In this presentation, attendees will learn about the opportunities and challenges of integrating advanced air mobility into communities and transportation systems.

With recent certification and order announcements by electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) companies, the race to secure market position is on. Each application of this expanding aerospace technology presents specific challenges to drive electrical systems complexity. Common to all is maximizing electrical efficiency and aircraft range. Capturing the market will require the ability to accelerate production. Changes to the platform design are a major obstacle to efficient and rapid manufacturing. This presentation will discuss how to tackle the new challenges of this expanding market while being mindful of rapidly changing certification and regulatory requirements.

Behind the hundreds of proposed eVTOL architectural concepts in current development, there are thousands of engineers working to design the best electrical power unit (EPU) for their chosen application. Since every kilogram must be lifted, there’s ever-growing pressure to keep the mass at an optimal low while ensuring the safety and reliability of the design from an EPU that’s manufacturable in volume at an economically feasible cost. Without any clear industry leader and regulations still evolving, there is no established consensus on which solution will dominate each market opportunity, with companies looking simultaneously at direct drive or geared EPUs for multi-motor, lift and cruise, tilt rotor aircraft or hybrid archetypes. In this study, we use a multi-objective genetic algorithm to design an EPU for an example e-VTOL application. We quantify the link between the EPU mass and efficiency for three different architectures – direct drive, geared and series motor solutions – based on the well-known YASA axial flux technology that is now being brought to market by Evolito. We then investigate the impact of that mass-efficiency coupling on an example e-VTOL aircraft performance.

Hybrid-electric propulsion technology enables the investigation of new aircraft concepts to develop new case studies and solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of modern society. Urban air mobility (UAM) is on its way to becoming a reality in the near future, and industries are keeping up with modeling and simulation. Distributed propulsion increases the feasibility and flexibility of eVTOL, making it a research topic of focus in the aerospace world. This presentation introduces a parametric model of such an aircraft, propelled by electric ducted fans (EDF). Existing models described in the literature do not include vertical take-off or hovering procedures as sizing conditions. This presentation will show how such new methodology can be implemented and applied to an eVTOL concept using the Pacelab APD commercial preliminary design software platform.

eVTOLs are characterized by their multirotor configuration for redundancy and stability, each rotor providing a power level from a few kW to tens of kW. Inverter switching technology ranges from silicon MOSFETs and IGBTs to the more modern silicon carbide transistors. However, gallium nitride technology has the potential of increased efficiency over these technologies. This would reduce the size and weight of the inverter as the thermal rejection system can be made smaller. This presentation will show the results of the GaN inverter powering a 50kW machine suitable for eVTOL applications.