GETTING SHIPSHAPE - Royal ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
October 2020
AEROSPACE
DOES AEROSPACE HAVE
A RACE PROBLEM?
SECRETS FROM THE
FALKLANDS AIR WAR
POWERING UP
ELECTRIC FLIGHT
www.aerosociety.com
GETTING
October 2020
SHIPSHAPE
UK F-35B FORCE GETS READY
Volume 47 Number 10
FOR FIRST OPERATIONAL
CARRIER DEPLOYMENT
Royal AeronauticaSociety
OCTOBER 2020 AEROSPACE COVER FINAL.indd 1 18/09/2020 14:59
RAeS 2020
Virtual Conference
Programme
Join us from wherever you are in the world to experience high
quality, informative content. Book early for our special
introductory offer rates.
STRUCTURES & MATERIALS UAS / ROTORCRAFT / AIR TRANSPORT GREENER BY DESIGN
7th Aircraft Structural Urban Air Mobility RAeS Climate Change
Design Conference Conference 2020 Conference 2020
DATE NEW DATE DATE
8 October 22 - 23 October 3 - 4 November
TIME TIME TIME
14:00 - 17:00 13:00 - 18:00 13:00 - 18:00
SCAN USING SCAN USING SCAN USING
YOUR PHONE YOUR PHONE YOUR PHONE
FOR MORE INFO FOR MORE INFO FOR MORE INFO
Embark on your virtual learning journey with the RAeS
Connect and interact with our speakers and ask questions live
Engage and network with other professionals from across the world
Meet our sponsors at our virtual exhibitor booths
Access content post-event to continue your professional development
For the full virtual conference programme and further details
on what to expect visit aerosociety.com/VCP
Volume 47 Number 10
October 2020
EDITORIAL Contents
When global rules unravel Regulars
4 Radome 12 Transmission
What price global standards, rules and regulations? Pre-pandemic there were The latest aviation and Your letters, emails, tweets
aeronautical intelligence, and social media feedback.
many who argued that globalisation had gone too far. However, the effect analysis and comment.
of Covid-19 on aviation, which relies on seamless connectivity, common 58 The Last Word
standards and single markets, has been crippling with only domestic air travel 11 Pushing the Envelope Keith Hayward compares
in China to return to anything like normality. Elsewhere, hopes that a gradual Rob Coppinger looks at the and contrasts the collapse
progress in the development of Rolls-Royce in January
easing of restrictions from the tight lockdown in March would bring a recovery of engines for the new 1971 with its present
in passenger numbers have now been dashed, and airlines are facing the generation of supersonic difficulties in the wake of
civil aircraft. Covid-19.
complete collapse of long-haul travel. In the UK, air bridges, uncertainty over
countries on the 14-day quarantine list and last-minute Government U-turns Features
are undermining any demand for intra-European air travel. Without a vaccine 26 Lightning pathfinders
being quickly rolled out, this could well mean a slow and painful recovery –
one estimate is that airlines will not recover to 2019 traffic levels until 2028.
14 The experience of introducing
the F-35B Lightning II onto
The scale of job losses to the aviation industry has also distracted attention the UK’s new HMS Queen
Elizabeth aircraft carrier.
from an arguably bigger issue – the way in which aviation and air travel is the
vital lubricant that keeps the motor of global trade and commerce running.
Lufthansa
Although the world has adapted remarkably swiftly to remote collaboration
and online working, the absence of business-class travel to help power the Plugging into the electric 30
aircraft revolution
global economy, means the risk of the engine is in danger of seizing-up.
Part 1 of a two-part analysis
Simply put, if the world’s nations want to avoid a prolonged global depression, into the economic realities of
there needs to be urgent high-level global agreement on common health developing and operating all-
electric commercial aircraft.
standards for air travel, airport checks, passenger screening, etc to allow Clipped wings
aviation to continue to generate this wider employment and wealth. Although 19 21 things I discovered The practicalities of keeping
countries are creating their own national ‘aviation plans’, airlines desperately while writing Harrier 809 civil aircraft in long and
Rowland White describes short-term storage.
need a global recovery plan just to survive, let alone thrive, in a confusing previous secret plans
mishmash of pandemic travel rules and restrictions. and unusual facts when 36 Beyond safety
researching his latest book How aviation organisations
Tim Robinson FRAeS, Editor-in-Chief on the Falklands Air War. need not just to meet but to
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com exceed safety standards.
Correspondence on all aerospace matters is welcome at: publications@aerosociety.com
22 40
Microsoft
Editor-in-Chief Editorial Office 2020 AEROSPACE subscription
Tim Robinson, FRAeS Royal Aeronautical Society rates: Non-members, £180
+44 (0)20 7670 4353 No.4 Hamilton Place Please send your order to:
tim.robinson@aerosociety.com London W1J 7BQ, UK Wayne J Davis, RAeS, No.4 Hamilton
+44 (0)20 7670 4300 Place, London W1J 7BQ, UK.
Deputy Editor
publications@aerosociety.com +44 (0)20 7670 4354
Bill Read, FRAeS Broadening the palette
www.aerosociety.com aerosubs@aerosociety.com
+44 (0)20 7670 4351
Has aviation and aerospace Return of the king
bill.read@aerosociety.com AEROSPACE is published by the Royal Any member not requiring a print
Aeronautical Society (RAeS). version of this magazine should got a racism problem and A review of Microsoft’s new
Production Manager Flight Simulator.
Wayne J Davis Chief Executive contact: membership@aerosociety.com what can be done about it?
+44 (0)20 7670 4354 Sir Brian Burridge CBE FRAeS USA: Periodical postage paid at
wayne.davis@aerosociety.com
Publications Executive
Advertising
+44 (0)20 7670 4346
Champlain New York and additional
offices. Afterburner
partners@aerosociety.com Postmaster: Send address changes
Chris Male, MRAeS
to IMS of New York, PO Box 1518,
46 Message from our President
+44 (0)20 7670 4352 Unless specifically attributed, no
chris.male@aerosociety.com material in AEROSPACE shall be taken
Champlain NY 12919-1518, USA. 47 Message from our Chief Executive
Production Executive to represent the opinion of the RAeS. ISSN 2052-451X 48 Book Reviews
Annabel Hallam Reproduction of material used in this
publication is not permitted without the
52 New Member Spotlight
+44 (0)20 7670 4361
annabel.hallam@aerosociety.com written consent of the Editor-in-Chief. 53 2021 Membership subscriptions
Book Review Editor Printed by Buxton Press Limited, 54 Black History Month
Brian Riddle Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire
brian.riddle@aerosociety.com SK17 6AE, UK 56 Elections
Distributed by Royal Mail
Additional content is available to view online at: www.aerosociety.com/aerospaceinsight Read AEROSPACE magazine and the Insight
Including: Economics of electric aircraft – Parts 1 and 2, Air ambulance of the future, blog on your smartphone, tablet or digital
Wake-up call for space threats, Has aviation and aerospace got a racism problem?, devices with the AEROSPACE app - available
Online Review of Microsoft’s new Flight Simulator. APP on iTunes and Google Play.
Front cover: UK Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II on HMS Queen Elizabeth. (Lockheed Martin)
@aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com OCTOBER 2020 13
Blueprint
INTELLIGENCE / ANALYSIS / COMMENT
Blade runner
The HX50 is set to benefit from a new
approach in rotor and hub design, with its
three-blade configuration providing benign
handling, increased flight performance and
advanced wire-strike protection.
Composite structure
The HX50 will feature a composite structure,
giving a lightweight, damage-tolerant and
crashworthy protection for a pilot and four
passengers.
Retractable undercarriage
Unusually for a single-engine light helicopter in this class, the landing
gear will be retractable. The sleek design will help achieve lower
aerodynamic drag, giving reduced fuel consumption.
Hill Helicopters
4 AEROSPACE
OCTOBER 2020 News.indd 2 18/09/2020 13:58:42
Specifications
Passengers: five including pilot
Gross weight: 3,630lb
Empty weight: 1,870lb
Payload: 1,760lb
Cargo: 60lb
Max cruise speed: 140kt
Fuel burn: 35gph at 140kt
22gph at 110kt
Mystery engine
Hill Helicopters remains coy about the 500shp turbine powerplant it
will use for the HX50 but there is speculation that it is developing its
own powerplant in-house with input from founder Jason Hill’s
engineering company DynamiQ Engineering. The engine is described
as being multifuel (including biofuels) with advanced inlets and noise-
suppression and delivering a high power-to-weight ratio.
GENERAL AVIATION
Light chopper aims to disrupt
A previously unknown UK company has revealed that it is developing a new light helicopter
for the private market. The Hill Helicopters HX50 is a single-engine light helicopter powered
by an as-yet-unnamed 500shp powerplant and will carry four passengers and a pilot. It is
aiming to compete with the Bell 505, Robinson R66 and Airbus H120 with low running costs of
£15k a year – and address a market not yet served. The company aims to fly the helicopter in
2022, with deliveries to follow the following year.
OCTOBER 2020 5
OCTOBER 2020 News.indd 3 18/09/2020 13:58:50
Radome
COVID-19
AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT
ATC trainees latest casualty of Airlines adapt with
Covid-19 fallout sightseeing flights
Faced with restrictions at full capacity. Royal
on international flights Brunei Airlines, also
due to the Covid-19, operated a 85min
some airlines have now sightseeing ‘dine and fly’
begun offering scenic flight in August using an
sightseeing flights to A320. Meanwhile, other
cater for passengers airlines including Japan’s
NATS
desperate to fly. Taiwan’s All Nippon Airlines
Over 120 trainee air traffic controllers from the UK NATS air service provider are to Eva Air, for example, flew (ANA), Japan Airlines,
lose their jobs just weeks before graduation and being posted to operational units. Due scenic charter flights Singapore Airlines
to the sharp decline in air traffic, training has now been paused. Students will have a in August using an and Qantas are set to
guaranteed right to return once it re-opens but the decision was slammed by union A330, with the aircraft follow suit with scenic
Prospect who said it was “disastrously short-sighted”. reportedly operating sightseeing flights.
AEROSPACE AIR TRANSPORT
Bahrain airshow axed, IATA suggests 4-point plan to
rescue UK aviation
Zhuhai back on
The Bahrain International trade exhibition, set for
Air Show, which was 10-15 November, would
scheduled for 18-20 be cancelled due to
November, has been Covid-19. A representative
Heathrow Airport
cancelled due to the of the show had orginallly
continuation of the emailed media outlets
Coronavirus pandemic. to say that the show
The organisers hope was cancelled before
to hold the next show sending another email Global airline body the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has proposed
in 2022. Meanwhile, only to request that outlets an urgent rescue plan for UK aviation after it detailed how stop-start quarantine
organisers of China’s withdraw their coverage measures are killing demand for air travel. The body warns that government policies
Zhuhai Air Show have of this news and that are putting 820,000 jobs at risk, and proposes: a testing regime at airports, a review
backtracked on an earlier the show was still going of the infection threshold that triggers quarantine, a suspension of APD duty and an
announcement that the ahead. extension of the furlough scheme for the airline sector.
NEWS IN BRIEF
performance. Flight testing health checks, passenger role. The PC-12NGs Slovenia, Thailand and
Airbus has signed using two Airbus A350s refunds, CAA enforcement will replace five Cessna Spain.
agreements with is scheduled to begin powers, aviation reform FR172 aircraft previously
Frenchbee and SAS later this year with the and business rates with used for patrol. The European Union
Scandinavian Airlines, new partners becoming airports. Aviation Safety Agency
together with three involved in 2021. Arianespace launched (EASA) has awarded flight
air navigation service The Irish Air Corps a Vega rocket on 2 certification for Diamond
providers, DSNA, NATS The UK Government has taken delivery September from French Aircraft’s single engine
and Eurocontrol, for has announced that it of three PC-12NG Guiana, carrying 53 DA50 RG. First flown in
feasibility studies of is to publish an aviation Spectre special mission small satellites from 13 October 2019, deliveries
its fello’fly emissions recovery plan later this turboprops. The aircraft countries. The payload of the first aircraft are due
reduction project. Inspired autumn. The report, touched down in included satellites for to begin in early 2021 with
by the flight patterns of which will give details of Baldonnel, Ireland, on 10 the European Space FAA certification in the
birds, the fello’fly concept a five-year strategy up to September after flying in Agency, CubeSats same year.
involves flying two aircraft 2025, is expected to cover from Denver, Colorado, for Planet and Spire,
close together for long- policies on such topics US, where they were Satellogic, PointView, UK next-generation
haul flights to improve as travel corridors, border converted for the ISR Kepler Communications, airship manufacturer
6 AEROSPACE
OCTOBER 2020 News.indd 4 18/09/2020 13:58:51
Ev
ha
AEROSPACE DEFENCE
Congress publishes final US flies new fighter X-plane in
737 MAX report secret testing
On 16 September, assumptions, a ‘culture
the US Congress of concealment’ with
House Committee on Boeing withholding
Transportation and critical information
USAF Research Lab
Infrastructure published from the FAA, airlines
its final report into the and 737 MAX pilots,
development of the conflicts of interest and
Boeing 737 MAX – conflicted representation
strongly criticising both between manufacturer The USAF has revealed that it has flown a demonstrator X-plane in secret for its Next
the manufacturer and and regulator, as well as Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) future fighter. Speaking at the Air Force Association
the Federal Aviation Boeing’s influence over the conference, Will Roper, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and
Administration (FAA) for FAA’s oversight function. Logistics, revealed that a NGAD full-scale demonstrator had begun flight testing and “we
their part in allowing an Chair of the Committee, broke records doing it”, according to an interview in Defense News. No other details, such
unsafe aircraft to enter Congressman Peter as manufacturer, or location of flights were given.
service and one that DeFazio said that: “our
killed 346 people in two report gives Congress GENERAL AVIATION
separate accidents. The
investigation, which took
a roadmap on the steps
we must take to reinforce
Vertical Aerospace adds wings for
18 months to put together, aviation safety and its new five-person eVTOL
said that the crashes were regulatory transparency,
a ‘horrific culmination of a increase Federal oversight,
series of faulty technical and improve corporate
assumptions by Boeing’s accountability to help
engineers, a lack of ensure the story of the
transparency on the part Boeing 737 MAX is never,
Vertical Aerospace
of Boeing’s management, ever repeated.”
and grossly insufficient European aviation
oversight by the FAA’. The safety agency EASA has
report found that there completed flight testing
was extensive pressure to of the Boeing 737 MAX
cut costs and schedule, as part of its return to UK-based eVTOL developer Vertical Aerospace has revealed a new winged design for a
to compete with the rival flight. Testing took place in five-person electric aerial taxi – the VA-1X. The vehicle would carry four passengers and
Airbus A320neo, faulty Vancouver, Canada, due to one pilot and have a range of 100miles and a cruising speed of 100mph. The company
design and performance Covid-19 restrictions. is aiming for entry into service in 2024.
Hybrid Air Vehicles has The eight-hour flight enter service in 2023.
announced that it is Greece announced on Under plans to help demonstration took place Named the V300, the
forming a partnership with 12 September that it will commercialise space, over September from aircraft is fitted with four
2Excel Aviation to offer buy 18 Dassault Rafale NASA is to incentivise Wales, with the MALE vertical-thrust electric
customers joint proposals fighters to boost its air private companies to UAV flying the first drone motors on twin booms
for operating the Airlander power. The acquisition is collect Moon rocks and flight in unsegregated with a conventional
10 airship in a variety of part of a rise in defence lunar dust. The initiative airspace since 2015 – engine powering a pusher
roles. spending, driven by seeks to open up the and the first UAV flight to propeller. According to
increased tensions with Moon to future mining take-off, fly in international the company, the V300
United Airlines is to Turkey, that will also see and resource extraction. airspace and land back in could carry up to 1,000lb
furlough about 20% Athens acquire four new the UK. (460kg) with room for
(16,370) of its employees. frigates and SH-60R The UK’s Maritime and three EPAL standard
The action is to come naval helicopters, as Coastguard Agency Slovenian electric aircraft pallets. A smaller V20
into force on 1 October well as anti-tank missiles (MCA) has announced it specialist Pipistrel, has variant could carry
when payroll restrictions and torpedoes, plus an has carried out a trial of announced the launch payloads up to 44lb
attached to a Federal upgrade for ten Mirage UAVs for SAR using the of a new hybrid-electric (20kg) over shorter
bailout expires. 2000s. Hermes 900 drone. eVTOL cargo aircraft to distances.
OCTOBER 2020 7
OCTOBER 2020 News.indd 5 18/09/2020 13:58:52
Radome
SPACEFLIGHT AIR TRANSPORT
China flies mystery First El Al direct flight between Israel
winged spacecraft and UAE makes history
China has launched and test runway at Lop Nur On 31 August the first
returned to Earth an airbase. The state-run direct service between
experimental reusable news Xinhua News Israel and the United Arab
spacecraft. The spacecraft Agency later confirmed Emirates (UAE) landed in
took off onboard a Long the mission was testing Abu Dhabi after a three-
March 2F rocket on 4 ‘reusable technologies hour flight from Tel Aviv.
September from Jiuquan during its flight, providing The chartered El Al flight,
launch base in the Gobi technological support for using a Boeing 737 with
Desert which then landed the peaceful use of space’. ‘peace’ written in Arabic,
on 6 September after two Details of the spacecraft El Al English and Hebrew on
days in orbit and reaching are unknown but some it, carried Israeli and US
an altitude of 350km. It analysts claim that it is a diplomats and also made history by routing over Saudi airspace – previously banned to
is then believed to have winged vehicle, similar to Israeli airliners. The flight follows the surprise signing of a Middle East peace deal, with
landed at a secretive the USAF’s X-37B. the UAE normalising relations with Israel.
AEROSPACE DEFENCE
Laminar-flow fuel-sipping bullet MoD approves Typhoon
aircraft promises jet speeds AESA radar upgrade
The UK Ministry of which will go onto 40
Defence (MoD) has Tranche 3 Typhoons with
given the go-ahead for the option to also retrofit
a £317m contract to the radar into Tranche
install the European 2s. Flight testing will
Otto Aviation
Common Radar System commence in 2022 with
(ECRS) Mk 2 active IOC in 2025. Once in
electronically scanned- service, the ECRS Mk2
Secretive US-start-up Otto Aviation has finally revealed its revolutionary Cerelon 500L array (AESA) radar will be ‘the world’s most
six-person aircraft, which offers jet-like (450mph) speeds and range (4,500nm) but onto the RAF Typhoons. capable fighter radar’ able
achieves a staggering 18-24miles to the gallon thanks to its laminar flow shaping, which The development and to simultaneously perform
produces 59% less drag than comparable aircraft and its RED A03 V12 piston engine. integration will be air and surface search and
The Cerelon, which was first spotted in 2017 in Victorville, California, has now flown 31 conducted by BAE track, as well as electronic
times, according to the manufacturer. Systems and Leonardo warfare and attack.
NEWS IN BRIEF
multi-domain information Two smaller satellites, reached an agreement
Taiwanese carrier portal, designed to take GNOMES 1 and Tyvak An Israeli company, with airline management
STARLUX airlines is data from multiple sources 0172, were also placed Atlas LTA Advanced to prevent 600 pilots from
to lease eight Airbus and share it as part of the into orbit. Technology, is aiming being furloughed from 1
A330-900s from Air future ‘Combat Cloud’ to introduce a new October. Around half of
Lease Corporation. The battlespace network. As AEROSPACE goes generation of ‘green’ high Spirit’s 2,500 Spirit pilots
first aircraft are due to be to press, general aviation altitude and long-range have agreed to temporarily
delivered in late 2021. SpaceX launched manufacturer Piper airships and aerostats. work fewer hours each
an Argentine radar Aircraft is set to fly the Atlas plans to build a month.
On 15 September the observation satellite on 5,000th example of its range of large-capacity
RAF conducted an 30 August on its 100th popular Archer single- transport ATLANT helium- Korea Aerospace
airborne trial of its new launch. Lifted aboard engine light aircraft. filled, hydrogen-powered Industries (KAI) has
Nexus AI data sharing a Falcon 9 rocket from First named the Archer airships, capable of unveiled the first prototype
platform onboard a Cape Canaveral on a in 1972, the aircraft is a carrying oversized cargo of its indigenous KF-X
Voyager tanker with multi- southerly trajectory, the variant of the best-selling up to 165 tons. fighter aircraft. The first of
service observers from the SAOCOM 1B satellite PA-28 family and was put six prototypes is currently
British Army and Royal was placed into an back into production in Pilots working for US under assembly with
Navy onboard. Nexus is a orbit over Earth’s poles. 2010. carrier Spirit Airlines have completion scheduled
8 AEROSPACE
OCTOBER 2020 News.indd 6 18/09/2020 13:58:53
DEFENCE AEROSPACE
AI fighter pilot to take on A320 family reaches 10,000th
human in dogfight test
After AI vs human the DARPA AlphaDogfight
simulated dogfights, the challenge this year which
US is set to put AI aces saw a computer triumph
in real aircraft to go head- against a human F-16
to-head in air combat pilot in simulated air
trials with human pilots combat – winning 5-0.
in 2024. Speaking at a The AI Top Gun developed
US DoD AI symposium, by Heron Systems had
Secretary of Defense already beaten other
Mark Esper revealed that artificial agents in the Airbus
a real-world trial in 2024 AlphaDogfight challenge,
of an AI vs human fighter including Aurora Flight On 11 September, Airbus announced through social media that the 10,000th example
pilot will take place in Sciences and Lockheed of its A320 single-aisle family airliner – an A321neo – had made its first flight from its
2024, following on from Martin. Hamburg factory.The milestone airframe will go to Middle East Airlines (MEA).
SPACEFLIGHT GENERAL AVIATION
New entrant Astra fails to reach Flying Legends parts
orbit company with Duxford
After 30 years the annual Covid-19 and financial
Flying Legends vintage constraints and said the
warbird show will no decision was by ‘mutual
longer be held at the agreement’ with the Flying
historic Duxford airfield Legends organisers and
in Cambridgeshire, it has vintage aircraft operator
been announced. The The Fighter Collection,
2020 Flying Legends did which will continue to
Astra
not take place this year be based at Duxford.
due to the Coronavirus Meanwhile, planning
A rocket launched by new US commercial space company Astra failed to make orbit on pandemic. Meanwhile, the approval for a new 168-
11 September. The 38ft two-stage Rocket 3.1 launcher designed to carry microsatellites Imperial War Museum, room Hilton hotel on the
and CubeSats into orbit lifted off from its space port at Kodiak, Alaska but suffered what responsible for Duxford Duxford site was given the
is reported to be an engine shutdown shortly afterwards. aerodrome, blamed go-ahead in June.
for 2021, first flight in vehicle, Skyrora XL, in funding from the USAF to
2022 and manufacturing 2023. study its Overture SST as ON THE MOVE
to begin in 2026. South a possible US government former British Airways
Korea plans to have 120 Russian Helicopters transport. The funding Bruce Landsberg has been chief, Willie Walsh, has
KF-Xs in service by 2032. has delivered a Mi-171 comes from the USAF appointed for a second stepped down after nine
helicopter to China. Built Presidential & Executive term as Vice Chairman of years in the position.
Icelandic space company, at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Airlift Directorate to the National Transportation Iberia Chairman and Chief
Skyrora has conducted Plant, the aircraft has explore configurations Safety Board (NTSB). Executive Luis Gallego is
a test launch of a small been acquired for an of the Overture as a now IAG CE.
two-stage sub-orbital unspecified Chinese civil potential VIP executive or Greg Jones is the new
rocket, Skylark Micro, from aviation company. China Presidential transport. CEO of Salus Aviation. NASA has named
the Langanes Peninsula already operates around Catherine Koerner as
in Iceland. The rocket 200 Mi-171 helicopters. Finnish flag carrier, Finnair Max Kingsley-Jones, the new Orion Progam
ascended to 26.86km is slashing its flight formerly at Flight Global, is Manager. She previously
before both stages were Supersonic airliner schedule for October by now Senior Consultant at led the Human Health and
parachuted back down to start-up, Boom is the nearly half as the recovery Cirium. Performance Directorate at
sea. Skyrora is planning latest high-speed aircraft of passenger traffic stalls NASA Johnson.
to launch a larger orbital developer to receive out. IAG’s Chief Executive and
OCTOBER 2020 9
OCTOBER 2020 News.indd 7 18/09/2020 13:58:55
By the Numbers
Understanding the world of Aerospace through data
Passenger airliners in service/storage
Cirium
Cirium
Cirium
Statista
10 AEROSPACE
Oct 2020 By the Numbers.indd 2 18/09/2020 16:23Pushing the Envelope
Exploring advances on the leading edge of aerospace
Robert Coppinger
Accelerating civil propulsion
F
our supersonic civil transport Carlisle said, in supersonic cruise speed have, “quite
announcements were made in August big impacts on time on wing.” This is where Reaction
and all but one of them involved Rolls- Engines’ heat exchanger technology would be
Royce. Almost 17 years since the helpful. The technology is now light enough so that
retirement of Concorde, and its Olympus it can be incorporated into the heart of the engine.
593 powerplants, opinion from Rolls-Royce is that Virgin Galactic’s plan is for a Mach 3 plus transport
building an engine in 2020 for supersonic travel is and the SABRE cooling technology can also help
not a challenge. The challenge today is developing there. Thomas points out that, between Mach 3 and
a supersonic engine that meets environmental 4, its heat exchanger can rapidly cool the incoming
regulations and is still economically viable at air, reducing the engine temperature and avoiding
business class seat prices; that is the view of Rolls- the need for using exotic materials. Avoiding
Royce’s Strategy Director For Civil Aerospace, Simon more carbon dioxide and other pollutants in the
Carlisle. atmosphere is another goal for supersonic aircraft
developers. Boom and Nevada-based Aerion, which
Supersonic united is creating its AS2 supersonic business jet, both see
carbon neutrality as important for faster-than-sound
The Derby-based propulsion firm is working with travel’s environmental case.
supersonic airliner developer Boom, Virgin Galactic
and Reaction Engines, which is advancing its Synthetic fuels
synergetic air breathing rocket engine (SABRE)
for Mach 5 travel. On 3 August, Virgin Galactic In February, Boom announced that its test
announced a non-binding memorandum of programme will be carbon neutral by using
understanding with Rolls-Royce to collaborate sustainable fuels. Aerion announced in October 2018
in designing and developing engine propulsion that its AS2 jet would be using GE Aviation’s Affinity,
technology – that work involves Derby’s US arm. a medium bypass ratio engine with a twin-shaft, twin-
Two days later, Rolls-Royce and Boom announced fan turbofan, which can use synthetic fuels.
that they had launched a new agreement to advance Aerion Chief Sustainability Officer, Gene
engine design for Boom’s Overture airliner. Holloway, explained that his firm is also working with
The third and fourth announcements came on British Columbia-based carbon capture specialist,
21 and 31 August. Of those two, Reaction Engines Carbon Engineering. It is developing technology to
and Rolls-Royce were first, announcing a strategic capture carbon dioxide from the air and turn it into a
partnership agreement to develop high-speed synthetic aviation fuel. CARBON
aircraft propulsion systems. The second came from Meanwhile, Boom is also working with a direct CAPTURE
the US military and involved a previously unknown carbon capture, fuel producing company, California’s SPECIALIST
company, Exosonic, but not Rolls-Royce. Exosonic Prometheus Fuels. While synthetic fuels are more
has a contract with the US Government for a expensive than conventional hydrocarbon-based
CARBON
supersonic Air Force One. While little is known about ones, Holloway states that they have a higher specific ENGINEERING.
Exosonic’s plans, Reaction Engine’s technology for energy, 3-4%, compared to JP-1, and they have IS DEVELOPING
high-speed propulsion is its proven SABRE heat no sulphur content; so no sulphur oxide emissions. TECHNOLOGY
exchanger and this is expected to be important for He added that an aircraft can be carbon neutral if it TO CAPTURE
Rolls-Royce’s intentions. Reaction Engines’ Chief maximises its use of such fuels. Despite the spate of CARBON
Executive, Mark Thomas, said that his company’s August announcements, Carlisle is under no illusion
heat exchanger could help realise an economically about the challenge; in his view there is a long way
DIOXIDE FROM
viable supersonic engine. Carlisle explained that to go to concluding that an environmentally friendly, THE AIR AND
supersonic propulsion operates at high temperatures economically viable supersonic engine is possible. TURN IT INTO
which, while also experienced by today’s airliner Looking back on Concorde, Carlisle said everything A SYNTHETIC
engines, will last a lot longer. Small differences, has moved on a long way. AVIATION FUEL
OCTOBER 2020 11
Pushing the Envelope A B.indd 1 18/09/2020 16:25F,
Transmission
LETTERS AND ONLINE @aerosociety i Find us on LinkedIn f Find us on Facebook www.aerosociety.com
.
Can the Royal Navy afford two aircraft carriers? Racism is a problem
The National Audit Office sharing. CEPP and Carrier Raphael D [On Is there
Crown copyright
(NAO) published Carrier Strike appear to have a racism problem in
Strike – Preparing for stymied this maritime-air aerospace?(1)] There’s a huge
Deployment on 26 June imperative and stumped problem in aviation with this
2020 and it concerns the development of a best issue but it’s more comfortable
current status of the UK’s system of systems ASTOVL/ to sweep it under the carpet,
approach to developing Carrier ship approach. A carrier rather than having open
Strike capability; essentially size-misfit has resulted, and honest conversations.
the ability to conduct military predisposed to serious Putting a photo of a female
operations with fixed-wing operational shortcomings. pilot and the ‘token’ black
aircraft launched from CVF, Simply, full capability man in a recruitment website
Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft may not be achieved and doesn’t make a business more
carriers. It presents a damning lethality, supportability, ‘inclusive’. Unfortunately, as
A UK F-35B Lightning II on the flight deck of HMS Queen
picture. Poorly considered survivability, vulnerability a recruiter, cabin crew and
Elizabeth in November 2019 as part of the WESTLANT 19
government ‘gunboat’ power and independent operating then airline pilot, I have seen
Exercise off the US coast.
projection ambitions, mission capability will be severely enough to categorically say
and capability woolliness, bold and innovative solution projection (CEPP). However, compromised because that - yes, there is a racism
murky command and financial that might have marked the huge resources to mount recovery is unaffordable. problem in aviation.
responsibility, artless systems’ re-entry into 21st century and sustain the Carrier Strike The NAO points out the
integration, compromised fixed wing maritime aviation. capability do not appear to affordability problem and
warfighting effectiveness, Furthermore, an ASTOVL have been properly planned something will have to give. Dr Susanne Svensdotter
unresolved conflicting military aircraft denies the RAF the or indeed accepted by the Perhaps it will be the early loss Agree completely.
needs and plain unaffordability best available strike fighter for services themselves and the of one carrier and a change
contrive the subplot of the multi-operational needs. effort is evidently distorting to the F-35 procurement plan. RAF reflections
NAO report. Politically, the UK re- the overall total armed forces Hopefully, looking back these
The F-35B aircraft gives introduction of carriers equipment budget. past 50 years, it will be third Philip Day [On Sir Glenn
the RN an absolute winner and air wings is pinned on The raison d’être of time lucky for the Fleet Air Torphy’s reflections on
but, by integrating an ASTOVL establishing a national military maritime fixed wing aviation Arm and fixed-wing will not be changes to the RAF(2)] Nice
and fifth-generation fighter capability to mount global is fleet air defence. Equal, lost this time. to see a useful article put
in such large ships, the sum operations at short notice but lesser, are strike and into bullet points too. Not
of the whole falls short of the as carrier enabled power ISR and modern data Philip V Hunt FRAeS everything benefits from
masses of prose! Thank you
for saving me some time and
delivering the same impact.
f i
RAeS wins engineering diversity award
Thank you Spitfire
George Romain/ARCo
The Royal Aeronautical Society has won the Best Professional
Engineering Institution of the Year award for 2020. Organised
by EqualEngineers, The Engineering Talent Awards 2020
are a new set of awards to celebrate the diversity of the
Lifetime with the RAeS Reclassifying airspace engineering and technology profession.
Alex Berry [On RAeS Jacob Pompe [On NHS
response to CAA consultation Bishnujee Singh Capt Don Van Dyke Well-
Spitfire(3) It is wonderful how,
on new draft procedure for Congratulations Royal earned, well-deserved!
to this day, the Spitfire remains
reviewing the classification of Aeronautical Society team!
to be such an iconic aircraft.
airspace] An interesting read I predicted correctly the
I recommend watching The
with most valid points around previous day that the RAeS is Christopher Miah
First of the Few about how it
Anthonile Greenman The the issue of compromised going to walk away with the Congratulations to the
all started!
RAeS is a lifetime association. safety. In my view, anything award. It’s almost going to be Royal Aeronautical Society.
Today I came across this book that simplifies sub-4,000ft my 25 years of association A wonderful achievement
in our library. The RAeS has is sure to get a decent with the RAeS. most fitting for a world class
Captain Ameen Budagher
been around before I was round of applause from a professional engineering body.
The Royal Air Force was
born and it shall still be there high proportion of the GA instrumental in changing
in many years to come. I salute community. The CAA have Mariya Tarabanovska
positively the outcome of the
everyone who has made made some welcome changes Congratulations to everyone Peter Round Fabulous
Second World War. Glorious
this Society a world-class of late, hopefully this trend will in RAeS! news. Well done all of you.
day for the RAF.
professional body. continue.
12 AEROSPACEAviation accolade Short-haul e-aircraft Designing fighters From the RAeS photo archives
for Editor @marauder2048 [On 21st
@BladeIndia [On Wiring
RAeS/NAL
up the electric aviation Century Boyd’s(5)] A piece
revolution(4)] Rightly said, that wilfully mischaracterises
introduction of eVTOLs is Schriever’s approach to
a plausible reality for short- fighters. His whole point
haul flights where public was that you had to consider
concerns over safety is a big the ground and support
challenge. Long-haul aircraft equipment and the other
will take longer. components as a total
package which meant that
AEROSPACE Editor Tim introducing new types had
Robinson FRAeS has won Digital design to be carefully planned and
The Honourable Company executed.
of Air Pilots Award for @BryanHomey [On USAF
Aviation Journalism 2020. announcing that the T-7A
‘This award is given to will be designated the eT-7A @BurkhardDomke A tool
an individual journalist, due to having been digitally doesn’t yet make a good
designed] Will it phone de Havilland DH98 Mosquito TT35 ‘converted’ to a FBVI for
publication or organisation for design. At best, the digital
home? Hahaha. the film 633 Squadron in 1963. The first Mosquito prototype
an outstanding contribution modelling and simulation
completed its maiden flight nearly 80 years ago on 25
to the promotion or public approach abstractedly
November 1940. Over 7,700 were built and the ‘Wooden
awareness of aviation in reflects only what is
@TheDewLine And SR-71 Wonder’ remained in service from 1941 to 1961. The
general or of any important known and thought to be
stood for ‘slide rule’, then, original prototype is on display at the de Havilland Aircraft
aspect of aviation activity.’ understood. Beyond that,
apparently. Museum at London Colney and is the only surviving WW2
it is fed with assumptions.
prototype to be preserved in the world.
The real challenges are in
organisation and culture.
@DefenseWag Thank
heavens the E is silent.
Cranfield asks for Flying Classroom memories RAeS virtual space conference
Cranfield University is appealing to students and visitors who
have flown in the National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC)
Jetstream 31 turboprop ‘Flying Classroom’ to share their
anecdotes and experiences of their flights. The aircraft is soon
BAME webinar(1) due to be retired and replaced with a larger Saab 340B flying
@sophielharker Really laboratory and classroom. Contact: nflcmemories@cranfield.
happy to have published my
Cranfield University
first article on the
@AeroSociety blog (and
eventually magazine), but
I’m even happier that it was
on such an important topic.
It’s just the start and looking On 9-10 September the RAeS held its first conference using its new
forward to seeing the virtual event platform for a two-day online conference on Safeguarding
Society take its next steps. Earth’s Space Environment on the challenge of orbital space debris.
@OwensRayna [On First @adelegammarano
@hoang_laura Fantastic
RAeS virtual conference Thank you @AeroSociety
piece of writing reflecting on
on Safeguarding Space] really enjoyed the first day
the brilliant @AeroSociety
Fabulous session on of this conference, very
BAME webinar and more.
international collaboration well organised and great
Delving into important
this afternoon at speakers!
issues and how we move AEROSPACE Deputy Editor Bill Read was among a group @AeroSociety
forward. Well done who flew in Cranfield University’s NFLC Jetstream 31 Flying
@sophielharker Classroom in November 2019.
1. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/only-0-is-acceptable/
2. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/bringing-balance-to-the-air-force/
3. AEROSPACE, September 2020, p 24, Signed Spitfire scrambles to lift nation’s spirits
4. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/wiring-up-the-electric-aviation-revolution/
5. https://www.aerosociety.com/news/21st-century-boyds-us-goes-back-to-the-future/
@aerosociety i linkedin.com/raes f facebook.com/raes www.aerosociety.com OCTOBER 2020 13AEROSPACE
The economics of electric aircraft – part 1
Plugging into the
electric aircraft revolution
Recent months have seen a renewed interest in accelerating the development of
passenger aircraft powered by electric or hybrid-electric power. But will these aircraft
make money in commercial operation? BILL READ FRAeS looks at the financial
challenges faced by electric aircraft designers.
T
he zero-emissions passenger aircraft plans to debut a carbon neutral aircraft by 2035
is coming. In the not too distant while British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson
future, we are told, fleets of quiet, vowed that the UK would be the first to develop
non-polluting, super-efficient battery a zero-emission long-haul passenger aircraft.
or even hydrogen-powered powered However, while remarkable progress has been
aircraft will replace noisy CO2 and NOx-emitting made in recent years on the development of
jets, continuing the role of aviation in connecting smaller electrically-powered aircraft and eVTOLs,
people across the world but without the risk of the advent of larger e-aircraft for commercial
adding to global warming. While much has been passenger transport still has a long way to
WILL IT
B
TO INC E EASY
written about the different futuristic designs go. Many technical hurdles still need to be
proposed by developers of e-aircraft, less has overcome, in particular those relating to the ORPOR
INTO EX ATE
been said about how these new aircraft will cope power and duration of batteries. Battery ISTING
with the competitive realities of commercial air technology still has much to do before it can AIRPOR
INFRAS T
transport. Part 1 of this two-part report into the compete with jet fuel as a source of energy. TRUCTU
economics of electric aircraft will look first at the There has also been talk of the potential AND GR RE
OUND-
challenges of selling commercial electric aircraft of hydrogen to power larger aircraft but HANDL
IN
to operators and the implications for airport this technology also faces challenges in EQUIPM G
operators and service providers. developing a hydrogen fuel cell which is E NT?
Recent months have seen a renewed interest small, light and safe enough to be fitted on
in accelerating the development of passenger board an aircraft.
aircraft driven by electric or hybrid-electric While-e-aircraft have the advantage that
power. The French government has announced they are less polluting and cleaner, they also
14 AEROSPACE
Wiring up the electric aircraft revolution A B f.indd 2 18/09/2020 17:00utilise a less efficient power source than flying to operate than jet aircraft, they will fly more slowly
an aircraft using kerosene, as charging batteries and will not have sufficient battery life to stay in
is less efficient than using the fuel directly. An the air for long distances. Unless new technology
all-electric aircraft will also weigh the same at the is developed to reduce these restrictions, industry
end of a flight as it did at the beginning – unlike experts are currently predicting that electric
a conventional jet aircraft, which gets lighter as it aircraft will only replace commercial jet aircraft on
uses up fuel. short-haul regional routes. As a result, a two-tier
Because the reliability of batteries is not yet system may evolve with e-aircraft operating on
assured, current thinking is that, in order to satisfy short-haul and regional routes while jet turbine
flight safety regulations, the first generation of aircraft (using more efficient environmentally-
electric aircraft is likely to be a ‘hybrid-electric’ friendly engines and sustainable fuels) continue to
design fitted with a supplemental fossil fuel fly on long distance routes.
engine to act as an emergency back-up
generator, recharging the electric batteries to Developing an e-aircraft
A RADICAL extend range. However, such hybrid aircraft,
NEW AIRFRAME although they may be safer, will not be as As with electric cars, the development of the
DESIGN efficient to operate as either all-jet or all electric aircraft is expected to progress in
MIGHT LOOK electric-motor aircraft. The back-up motor stages. In the electric aircraft market, the current
FUTURISTIC AND will take up payload space and add weight, buzzword is urban air mobility (UAM); many
EYE- CA TCHING while the aircraft will need to carry both companies are busy working on new designs for
BU T HO W batteries and liquid fuels, which will need to small eVTOLs designed to carry small numbers of
TICA L WILL be refuelled and recharged between flights. passengers on short routes. This pioneering work
PRAC
As batteries become more efficient, is helping to accelerate technology and systems
IT BE IN DAY-
future all-electric designs may have which can be used for the development of larger
TO-DAY AIRLINE different shapes but, in the interim, electric aircraft similar in capacity to regional
OPERATIONS? e-aircraft might look similar to current turboprops and jets.
regional turboprop designs with long While there are a number of companies
straight wings fitted with either two or multiple currently working on larger e-aircraft designs,
propellers. it is not the aim of this article to look at specific
projects or technical challenges. Instead, the focus
Short-haul replacement will be on the wider operational and economic
aspects of operating such a new type of aircraft.
The electric aircraft start-up Even with the hoped-for advances in battery and Imagine that you are a start-up company
Wright Electric has started
electric engine technology, experts believe that developing a new electric passenger-carrying
to develop the electric
propulsion system for a battery-powered aircraft will not be able to replace aircraft. How can you bring your design to
186-seat electric aircraft all jet-powered aircraft. Although e-aircraft are market and compete for orders against other
called Wright 1. expected to be quieter, non-polluting and cheaper manufacturers?
Wright Electric
OCTOBER 2020 15
Wiring up the electric aircraft revolution A B f.indd 3 18/09/2020 17:00AEROSPACE
The economics of electric aircraft – part 1
Raytheon Technologies
The first obstacle is finance. Even before Engines, airframes and batteries Rendering of the Project
the onset of Covid-19, developers of electric 804 X plane being
aircraft were having difficulties staying The next problem is that of design. What will developed by Raytheon
in business, as it was taking so long the new aircraft look like? A radical Technologies.
HOW C
to bring a design to the point where AN YOU new airframe design might look
ENSURE
it could actually start earning money. THAT futuristic and eye-catching but how
THE AIR
This process has since accelerated CRAFT practical will it be in day-to-day
BATTER
as developing a new electric aircraft IES ARE airline operations? Will it be easy
design requires a substantial quantity SAFE? to incorporate into existing airport
of investment. As with all innovative infrastructure and ground-handling
projects, there is an element of risk in that equipment? How easy and economic
development may encounter unforeseen costs, will it be to service and maintain?
time delays, safety issues or lack of demand. There is also the issue of engines. Will the
Because so much about the future of e-aircraft engines be purchased separately from the
is still uncertain, banks and investors tend to be airframe (as they often are with current jet-
reluctant to risk money in unproven technology powered airliners or will they have to be developed
and markets. An e-aircraft developer will as an integrated unit by the aircraft manufacturer?
therefore need to have deep pockets and a strong The same challenge applies to the incorporation of
commitment to investing over the long term. batteries.
Traditionally, new aviation technologies Then there is standardisation. While it is
have been developed by OEMs and engine tempting for e-aircraft designers to produce all
manufacturers, often with support from national their own designs which are different from those
governments. However, in the case of e-aircraft, of their competitors, there is a commercial and
more stakeholders will also be involved in creating practical need to standardise some components,
the infrastructure needed to operate such new such as battery sizes and charging plugs, so that
aircraft – including airports, pilot trainers, air they are easy to use and replace.
traffic managers, components suppliers and MRO
providers. Flight safety certification
Existing aviation regulations are based
on conventional liquid-fuelled aircraft. The Another problem is that of safety. Competent
introduction of hybrid and electric aircraft may authorities will only grant flight certification to a
require new regulations regarding safety, flight new electric aircraft it they are convinced that it
certification, training and maintenance, all of which is safe to carry passengers. How will your new
could take time to evolve. aircraft cope with the rigours and hazards of
16 AEROSPACE
Wiring up the electric aircraft revolution A B f.indd 4 18/09/2020 17:00flight, such as high winds, turbulence, ice, rain, airport’s carbon footprint. Electric aircraft would
high and low temperatures, lightning strikes or be both non-polluting and quieter, meaning that
bird and drone strikes? How can you ensure that airports close to populated areas could operate for
the aircraft batteries are safe? High-performance longer hours or overnight without disturbing local
batteries need cooling and must be ensured residents. It would also do wonders for the airport’s
against the risk of fire (as shown by the problems environmental image. In October 2018, Heathrow
faced by Boeing with battery fires after the Airport announced that the first electric-hybrid
introduction of the first 787s and the fire of aircraft to use its facilities will not have to pay
the first prototype of the Eviation Alice electric Heathrow’s landing charges for an entire year if it
aircraft), was operated in a regular service hub – an offer
In addition, there are operational issues to be valued at nearly £1m.
resolved. Will your passenger-carrying e-aircraft There would also be disadvantages. Current
have two pilots or one, or perhaps be flown jet-powered passenger aircraft all share a
autonomously? How will this decision affect the common ‘tube and wing’ shape which may
IN A FUTURE
attitudes of safety authorities and pilot unions, as vary in size but which can be loaded or
well as passenger confidence? unloaded using existing airport equipment. WHERE THERE ARE
Airport ground-handling services are NOW E-AIRCRAFT
Sustained volume production geared up to working with conventional DESIGNS READY
designs. “Introducing electric aircraft TO FLY, THE NEXT
Assuming that your e-aircraft design is certificated, would involve new interfaces between QUESTION IS
the next problem is production. Should serial airport and aircraft and ground-handling WHO WILL BUY
production be attempted by the same start-up systems,” concluded Jean-Brice Dumont, THEM AND HOW
company that designed the aircraft or should the EVP engineering at Airbus, speaking at the WILL THEY BE
responsibility of volume production be handed 2020 Singapore SATLF conference. OPERATED?
over to a larger OEM with experience in this area? However, the advent of passenger-
Alternatively, the OEMs may decide to play catch- carrying electric aircraft with new shapes
up by buying up the start-up company. and characteristics would require the learning of
Decisions will also need to be made about new skills. Ground-handling infrastructure may
spare parts and aftermarket support. Aircraft have to be created to manage e-aircraft with
OEMs and engine manufacturers make as much, if unconventional shapes, such as long thin wings
not more, money from support services than from requiring more space between parked and moving
original equipment sales. As an e-aircraft designer, aircraft.
would you want to try to cash in on this market, or
would it be less effort to hand this responsibility Compatibility
over to a third party?
Airports may also have to cater for two different
types of electric aircraft needing to be refuelled Airbus and Rolls-Royce
Airports made the joint decision to
or recharged. Pure electric aircraft would require
bring the hybrid-electric
In a future where there are now e-aircraft designs battery changes while hybrid-electric aircraft will propulsion E-Fan X
ready to fly, the next question is who will buy them have two sets of engines, one needing fuel and demonstrator to an end in
and how will they be operated? But first, it could the other batteries. Airport ground-handling staff April 2020.
be instructive to look at the airport infrastructure
and support services in which electric aircraft will
operate. As with much new technology, there is
the question of who jumps first. Airlines will not
acquire e-aircraft if there are no airports they can
operate from. Similarly, airports will not commit to
building electric aircraft infrastructure until they
are sure that such aircraft will be introduced in
sufficient numbers to justify the investment in new
facilities (a dilemma faced by several airports when
the Airbus A380 was first introduced).
Imagine that you are an airport operator
deciding how best to invest for the future. You
know that electric passenger aircraft will be
coming in the future, so how best can you attract
airlines operating e-aircraft to base at your airport
or to use your facilities?
There would certainly be advantages.
Airbus
Operating electric aircraft would greatly reduce the
OCTOBER 2020 17
Wiring up the electric aircraft revolution A B f.indd 5 18/09/2020 17:00AEROSPACE
The economics of electric aircraft – part 1
Eviation
would have to become familiar with the workings
of a wide variety of different e-aircraft designs MRO
and have all the different types of batteries and
associated equipment on hand needed to service Turning to the
them. The batteries may be stored in different question of support services,
places on the aircraft, possibly in the wings or imagine that you are an MRO
within the fuselage. Some e-aircraft may be provider keen to profit from the
recharged with the batteries in situ, while others growing market for servicing
will have their used batteries swapped electric aircraft.
out for a new fully-charged set. The It is predicted that
size and shape of batteries may
WILL YOUR servicing costs for e-aircraft will be
also vary between each aircraft PASSENGER- lower, at least for engines, as electric
design, as might the connectors CARRYING motors are less complicated than Eviation’s Alice, a light
needed to recharge them (a problem E-AIRCRAFT HAVE jet turbines and should require less nine-seater all-electric
experienced in miniature by every TWO PILOTS OR maintenance. Airframes, on the other plane designed to service
owner of a mobile phone). ONE, OR PERHAPS hand, may have higher maintenance regional areas.
Air traffic managers would BE FLOWN costs depending on how they are
also have to learn new methods AUTONOMOUSLY? constructed, such as is already being
of operation, co-ordinating the experienced with the increased use of
movements of fast jet airliners with composite structures where damage is
slower e-aircraft. There are also operational safety more difficult to detect and repair. Standardisation
issues as to the potential restrictions on e-aircraft of components and the availability of spares would
operations of adverse weather or how airport fire also have an effect on costs and time scales.
crews and emergency services should react to a MRO providers will also have to adapt to
take-off or landing accident or a battery fire on the new norms as e-aircraft are expected to have a
ground. different operating cost structure than jet aircraft.
An all-electric aircraft will not require a fuel
Regional airport market system but would require the regular replacement
of batteries. However, what is not yet known is
One prediction for the future of electric aircraft how the experience of using electric aircraft in
is that they could be operated from smaller regular commercial operations may throw up new
airports which previously could not cope with the maintenance issues not yet thought of, as batteries
economics of commercial flights – thus generating and motors are exposed to heat, cold, sunlight,
a totally new market. However, this would only ice, turbulence and all the other rigours of flight.
be possible if these airports have the necessary Many MRO providers, engine manufacturers and
infrastructure to cater for e-aircraft – such as OEMs are taking full advantage of digital systems
battery chargers, ground crew to change or to record multiple parameters of aircraft in flight,
recharge batteries and MRO service providers with predictive maintenance, flight testing and digital
the relevant technical knowledge and access to twins. Once the designs for electric aircraft and
spare parts. If e-aircraft did generate a demand motors have become clearer, MRO providers can
for the more intensive use of regional airports, start working on the most efficient ways to maintain
these airports would also need to invest in new them – most likely with the assistance of digital
passenger and transport infrastructure, such as modelling, robotic inspection systems and digital
new terminals, roads and parking. printing already being used on existing airframes.
RAeS Urban Air Mobility, Virtual Conference; 30 September 2020 – 1 October 2020
Part 2 of this report into the economics of electric aircraft will consider how airlines could be persuaded that there is money
to be made in game-changing new e-aircraft designs and how will they might be operated in commercial service.
18 AEROSPACE
Wiring up the electric aircraft revolution A B f.indd 6 18/09/2020 17:00You can also read
