Eviation, AAM business models & more (The Allplane Newsletter #116)
Let’s start by the fact that there’s a NEW EPISODE OF THE PODCAST available. This one with the man that is heading one of the pioneering firms in the field of electric aviation:
Gregory Davis is the CEO of Eviation. If you are not familiar with this super sleek electric aircraft, which first flew last September, I advise you to check it out now!
With Greg we spoke about the status and future milestones of this project and how it fits in the new world of electric aviation. LISTEN.
Sustainable Aviation News
Electric Aviation
AirInsight had a piece about a new low-to-no-emissions aircraft concept, the Pangea. This one started by former Bombardier engineers. READ.
An overview of the HECATE project that aims to scale up the hydrid-electric distribution systems, with the participation of Collins Aerospace, SAFRAN and several research organizations and has recently received €40M from the EU and the British government.
“Flying electric is already possible for small aircraft. However, within the HECATE project we look at much higher electric power levels leading to increased thermal and EMC challenges, as we talk about an aircraft like an ATR-42 or ATR-72.” READ.
Advanced Air Mobility
We have seen quite a few airlines investing in AAM and new generation electric and hydrogen aircraft concepts, but it is not very clear yet how these are going to fit into the existing “conventional” operations and business models, particularly when considering their considerably lower payload capacity. Here’s an article that offers some hints about how United Airlines and Alaska Airlines think about this. READ.
Get a peek at the wood-made Skellefteå Droneport, in northern Sweden, by scanning this QR code!
Archer also shared its vision of a vertiport. READ.
Blade and Beta conducted some flights over New York state. WATCH.
Hydrogen Aviation
Airbus is partnering with several companies in New Zealand (including Air New Zealand) in order to further its research in the field of hydrogen propulsion. This project will facilitate the exchange of information between a major OEM like Airbus, airports and companies across the supply chain.
New Zealand has an interesting combination of factors that make it an ideal test ground, such as a high % of renewable energy production, a regional air route mix that is at the sweet spot for hydrogen and the political commitment to invest in decarbonization technologies. READ.
Universal Hydrogen’s founder, Paul Eremenko, held an AMA session on Reddit. FIND IT HERE.
The FAA has granted Universal Hydrogen a special airworthiness certificate to test its system on the Dash-8 Q300 turboprops. Btw, here’s a video of the taxi tests:
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Virgin Atlantic is gearing up for a transatlantic 100% SAF flight across the Atlantic. This is going to be a non-commercial service, although it is going to carry passengers. The test is funded by the British government with £1 million. READ.
Boeing is purchasing 5.6M gallons of SAF. How much is that in context? About 25% of Boeing’s own annual fuel needs. The supplier is going to be Neste. READ.
Neste is considering opening a research facility in Spain to make biofuels from algae. READ.
Other sustainable aviation news
The Lufthansa Group (that is including Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings), launched the “Green Fares”, that have offsets and SAF purchases built in. Lufthansa had tested these fares so far in a limited way on routes to and from environmentally-conscious Scandinavia. READ.
What else in aviation?
I published an in-depth interview with Icelandair’s CEO, Bogi Nils Bogason, on AeroTime’s Executive Spotlight series. READ.
Air India finally confirmed its much-anticipated mega-order, 250 aircraft from Airbus and 220 (+70 options) form Boeing.
My Air Arabia flight review. Quite different from most European LCCs. READ.
We got a glimpse of the new Airbus A321XLR, which is expected to enter service next year. You can scan this QR code on the fuselage to learn more about this aircraft!
Qatar Airways has launched an “infinite calendar” view, that lets you browse fare combinations through a matrix covering many months. Quite practical if you are flexible with your flight dates. CHECK IT OUT.
Volotea is partnering with Lufthansa-owned Eurowings. Interesting combination. READ.
Sadly, some more names were added to the 2023 Airline Bankruptcy list, Novair (Sweden) and Aeromar (Mexico). READ.