Page 69 - World Airnews Magazine June 2020 Edition

ELECTRIC
AVIATION

in the last year as an option for fossil-free how the market dynamics develop, which
• The speed of certification aviation. You can also introduce greener
• What incentives/policy/investment approaches, for example taxis that are determine which airports may or may not
support are developed and powered by electricity or biofuels for the get traffic with electric aircraft or electric
implemented approach to the airport. To conclude, in VTOL vehicles. So, there is still an obvious
• The requirements for a change of this situation we cannot choose technology market risk in making big electrification
efforts now.
policy, as well as for private and tracks - we must develop broadly - because
business travellers. we do not know which will work in the But, planning and preparing for the
Fiskerud said, “There is always uncer- future. development can be done. Swedavia has,
tainty when we anticipate how the future “But I think the important thing is that among other things, begun by developing
a strategic direction for electric aviation
will be - things will certainly happen that we don’t choose any part now, as everyone and it is to a large extent that they believe
we cannot foresee that will affect devel- will be needed. In addition, in all aspects, airports have a strategic role to play.
opment. For example, I usually compare we need to set high and ambitious goals
the aviation industry with the rail industry immediately, so we know (if we are basing Swedavia believes it must ensure that it
at the beginning of the 20th century. If the approach on history) that there will is possible for electric aircraft to charge,
we had then the same knowledge and be some part that does not work as we take off and land at the airport, as well as
discussions as we have today, we probably thought it would from the beginning - such maintain electric flights at its airports in
would have closed the railway. Then, it as an unknown factor that may come in and Sweden. It has chosen from the start to
ran on steam power and was fired with can drive development forward or stop it. be an active party in matters related to
coal. Even as far as the train is concerned, Then it is important that there are other electric aviation andairport infrastructure,
Sweden was among the first to electrify tracks that continue to develop.” and actively participates in relevant
it and, today, we see it as one of the most development projects in progress in the
sustainable transport types. “ HOW DOES THE AIRPORT PREPARE Nordic countries.
“I think we should give aviation the same FOR ELECTRIC AVIATION? “The airports can start by looking at what
chance. I think we can benefit a lot if we permits are needed for handling electric
aircraft. How should electric aircraft be
start thinking about sustainable mobility Henrik Littorin, senior analyst at Swedavia, handled in airspace and on the ground? For
in general instead of the different modes thinks that, “The biggest challenge is to example, fire and rescue regulations. This
of transport individually - what would a start adjusting and planning for something is a challenge, because the regulations are
door-to-door journey look like?” that does not yet exist and that we do not in place and the authorities themselves
Speaking about what would happen to not know what it will look like. Linked to currently have no guidelines in place.
the development of biofuel if the industry practical efforts, but also linked to the Starting to identify areas for electric flights
financing of the early efforts. It is possible
now invests in electric aircraft fully, to sneak in and try to offer a minimum level and ensuring electricity supply and power
Fiskerud said, “We must continue to devel- based on the fact that the development is also a good start. Furthermore, looking at
op both new technology tracks for biofuels will take time and be incremental at a rate which business model you want to use with
and those that exist today. We are only at which means that airports have time to regard to electric aircraft, based on their
the beginning, so there are opportunities adapt to the development. electricity and charging needs, passenger
to streamline both production and the use processes and so on,” said Littorin. Clearly
of raw materials.” “Of course, everything depends on the energy supply and charging capabilities
“Bio-electro-jet fuels, I think, we only level of ambition - it is possible to make play a key role in the work. Without it,
have seen the beginning of. There is much assumptions and plan in advance for everything else fails.
substantial effect re-inforcements and
more talk about it outside of Sweden’s allocate decent surfaces, but it feels like a But are the travellers ready? Littorin
borders. Hybrids, I am a little hesitant very risky road.” said, “Not yet, since most people don’t
about - but Airbus has now mentioned even know that electric aviation will be
it as one of their efforts, so maybe they It seems that it is difficult to get specific an eventuality. At the same time, the
have found solutions. My doubt is that it answers regarding what an airport should development will be incremental and - if it
requires two different power trains and, do. But, starting with a basic survey turns out that electric aircraft can offer a
therefore, increases the weight of the based on assumptions, in some cases it is safe, fast, durable, comfortable and cheap
plane, which will require more fuel/energy. probably smart to wait a while, when there transport solution - then I do not think it
“Electrification has taken a bigger place is more to relate to, when implementing
practical efforts. However we will not know will be difficult to attract travellers.” Q

NEWS
GARMIN JOINS IN

The industry coalition is working to ensure radio altimeters
are appropriately protected from prospective flexible-use
Garmin International has announced that it has joined applications, including 5G operations.
a broad aviation industry coalition in urging the Federal Despite assurances by the FCC chairman to Congress that the
Communications Commission (FCC) to reconsider its Report and C-band Report and Order would “be carefully designed so that
Order to repurpose C-band frequency spectrum nearby to the aircraft are able to use [radio] altimeters in a continuous and
frequency band that is used by safety-critical FAA-certified radio uninterrupted manner,” it fails to do so.
altimeters, including Garmin’s GRA 5500 and GRA 55. The industry coalition does not seek to block repurposing the
Radio altimeters are essential to safe airplane and helicopter C-band spectrum. Instead, the coalition seeks a path that will
operations, allowing pilots to safely land and avoid terrain, make the C-band spectrum available for purposes such as 5G,
particularly during poor weather conditions and low visibility. while ensuring full protection of radio altimeters. Q

World Airnews | June Extra 2020
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