09 / 12 / 2020

Technical development of electric aircraft

One of the goals of the FAIR project is to create synergy, increase knowledge of the potentials of electric-powered flights and accelerate the implementation of regional electric flights especially in the Kvarken region.

The second FAIR competence network webinar

One of the goals of the FAIR project is to create synergy, increase knowledge of the potentials of electric-powered flights and accelerate the implementation of regional electric flights especially in the Kvarken region. The project consists of three work packages (WP 1-3) of which RISE is responsible for WP 3 focusing on the Cross-border innovation process and the project´s competence network.

The purpose of the competence network is to gather and engage actors for the active exchange of expertise and knowledge. The goal is to contribute to and further develop a Nordic competence network within electric aviation.

The projects’ second competence network webinar on December 1st, gathered about 50 participants.

Dr. Anders Forslund, Founder and CEO Heart Aerospace, was invited to present his vision of electric aviation and relate his views on technical development and current as well as future scenarios for electric aviation.

Heart Aerospace´s focus is to build a nineteen-passenger airliner, the ES-19, with an operating range of 400 km. The ES-19 is a fully electric aircraft, and the goal is to have the aircraft certified for commercial operation by 2026. Dr. Forslund described among other things their testing and validating processes as well as upcoming certifications and the testing of a flying 1:5 scale model aircraft.

faire

Heart ES-19. The Sweden-based aviation company Heart Aerospace is currently working on its nineteen-passenger airliner ES-19. Initially, the company plans to offer point-to-point transportation between Scandinavian cities, before expanding operations worldwide. Photo: Heart Aerospace

Dr. Forslund also linked the technical development to both structure and design, elaborating on various challenges and opportunities connected to the three themes of profitability, connectivity and climate in order to create an accessible and profitable model for the future of electric aviation.

The webinar dialogue was both technical from a development and a socioeconomic perspective, while at the same time exploring future scenarios and possibilities. All within the scope of identifying opportunities to positively disturb the existing Nordic Air system, implementing Electric Aviation in a way to capitalise on regional strengths and opportunities.

The presentation is available HERE

The FAIR project competence network seminars will continue January 2021 forward with both presentations and topic discussions with participants.

The FAIR project group wish to thank dr. Forslund and everyone who has participated in the work so far.

Please contact carita.roslund@ri.se if you would want an invitation to seminars or a referral to other project activities.

FAIR is preparing the Kvarken region for an early implementation of electric aviation. The project increases the knowledge base about electric aviation, investigates the possibilities and surveys both the needs and the required technical investments. FAIR is a first step towards a rapid introduction of
sustainable aviation in the Kvarken region.