Key Sentence:
- Aviation is a problem for many actors in the fight against climate change.
Air travel not only accounts for 2.5% of carbon dioxide emissions. Some Pioneering British Pilot estimates suggest that this figure could even increase tenfold by 2050. In addition, most people worldwide do not fly. Aviation and its effect on climate are reserves for a relatively small proportion of people – about 20% of the world’s population.
Will you have to fly 20% less in the future? Possible. New aviation technologies also offer several potential solutions. If we can build zero-emissions planes – not just cleaner ships – the aviation industry in the future may not be so harmful to the planet. Join Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAS), the first British company in the world to develop a zero-emissions aircraft for commercial use.
The big idea behind CAeS is a new form of propulsion that uses hydrogen fuel cells. Which do not release carbon into Earth’s atmosphere – to accelerate the introduction of green technology and revolutionize air travel. CAS is committed to this technology, explains CEO Paul Hutton.
However, its Pioneering British Pilot extensive research into other solutions, including battery-powered aircraft. Which many developers focus on, concludes that they will not be technically or commercially viable any time soon.
“Hydrogen fuel cells are the only technical solution at the aircraft level that will allow us to fly emission-free,” he said.
Hutton’s robust assessment of competitive technologies reflects CAeS’ experience and expertise. While the aviation sector attracts entrepreneurs and startups who believe. They can solve the problem of climate change through untested technology, CAeS has been designing and Pioneering British Pilot building aircraft for 30 years. That experience is critical, says Hutton, as is approval from industry regulators.
“The market is flooded with green plane proposals, but most startups will fail because they don’t understand regulations and don’t have permits,” he warned. “Right now OEMs will get there at some point, but they will do this very slowly. They also have to focus on their current product,” he said of OEMs already producing conventional aircraft.
This is not just a fairy tale. CAS is getting closer to this goal with the Fresson project launched in 2019 under the direction of strategic director Jenny Kavanagh.
The project initially focused on the sub-regional craft of smaller aircraft. As they are called in the industry, with nine to 19 seats and primarily working on short routes. To this end, he is working with manufacturer Britten-Norman to develop a new generation of green aircraft that will operate on roads around the Scottish islands.