Engineering news
The consortium including Rolls-Royce, Cranfield University and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (CAeS) is working on Project Fresson, which received a £9m government grant today (19 November).
The project will design, manufacture and integrate a hybrid-electric propulsion system into a nine-seat Britten-Norman Islander aircraft, which is typically used on short flights such as island-hopping routes. The group will then develop a modification kit and aim to get EASA/ CAA (European Aviation Safety Agency/Civil Aviation Authority) certification, allowing the operators of more than 400 Islanders to potentially reduce operating costs and their carbon footprint.
After that, CAeS aims to design and implement a similar modification for a 19-seat sub-regional aircraft type, as well as continuing with partners to design and build a new 19-seater. The design of the new aircraft will be optimised for emission-free propulsion, making use of the certified propulsion systems architecture from the earlier phases.
Other companies and collaborations are aiming for commercial electric flight around the world. Electric motor firm MagniX is working with Eviation on its pure-electric Alice nine-seater, as well as working on retrofits of De Havilland Beavers. Ampaire has flown another nine-seater hybrid-electric plane, and other large companies are developing the technology.
The £9m grant is from the ATI Programme, a partnership of the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), Department for Business, Energy & Industry Strategy and Innovate UK.
Mark Scully, head of technology for advanced systems and propulsion at the ATI, said: “Project Fresson brings together a great partnership to develop innovative technology for a sustainable all-electric air transport solution for isolated islands. The partners’ ultimate goal of delivering the first commercial passenger-carrying all-electric aircraft service in the UK will mark a significant breakthrough for all-electric propulsion.”
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