April 22, 2021 - No. 31 In This Issue : ARGUS TRAQPak DATA GOES GLOBAL : EDF, RMI and Major Companies Launch Alliance to Drive Aviation Decarbonization : ProSafeT - Creating A Paradigm Shift in the Aviation Industry : JetBlue Technology Ventures Invests in Universal Hydrogen to Support the Airline’s Ambitious Sustainability Strategy : Charlotte Douglas International Airport Selects Telos to Process Background Checks for Aviation Workers : Swiss battery venture teams up with magniX and Harbour Air on electric plane : ZubAir teams up with RTI for developing flight data access technology : Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Solutions for the Aviation Industry : Is direct air capture the solution for aviation decarbonization? : Eurocontrol Outlines Means to Cut CO2 by 25 percent by 2030 : Ambry Hill Technologies Announced the Launch of Their Cloud-Based ERP Software, Vista Suite : RED Aircraft announces that their engine technology powers the Airlander 10 : SpaceX aims for 3rd crew launch hour before Friday’s sunrise EDF, RMI and Major Companies Launch Alliance to Drive Aviation Decarbonization Today, RMI and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) launched the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA) supported by founding companies Boeing, BCG, Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Netflix, and Salesforce. SABA’s mission is to accelerate the path to net zero aviation by driving investment in high quality sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), catalyzing new SAF production and technological innovation, and supporting member engagement in policy-making. Despite a temporary setback in global air travel due to COVID, aviation’s contribution to climate change is expected to grow in the coming years. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, demand for jet fuel could reach double pre-pandemic levels by 2050. “The Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance adds momentum to existing airline-company partnerships that support the purchase of sustainable aviation fuels,” said Kelley Kizzier, Vice President of the Global Climate program at EDF. “SABA will build on the work of these early movers, many of whom seek a more scalable, standardized approach, by establishing a SAF certificate system with robust environmental criteria. Working with sustainability certification schemes, this system will verify and track emission reductions from SAF so that companies, organizations and even individual travelers can achieve their ambitious climate goals.” SABA is one piece of a much broader global effort to decarbonize aviation. The environmental community and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and its members have been championing the role of SAF for over a decade. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the World Economic Forum’s Clean Skies for Tomorrow coalition incubated many of the concepts SABA now takes forward to implementation. “We are excited to work with the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance and like-minded initiatives to develop the SAF certificate registry system, which will help make robust SAF certificates a reality for the broader community Clean Skies has worked so hard to build,” said Christoph Wolff, Global Head of Mobility at the World Economic Forum. “SABA will build on the strong foundation of these global efforts, and develop a system that enables SAF to grow at the same pace and scale that renewable electricity grew over the last decade,” said Ned Harvey, Managing Director, Climate Intelligence, RMI. “The benefits of investing in SAF will go beyond the aviation sector, creating vast new clean energy jobs and new, sustainable revenue sources for farmers and tech innovators.” Key aspects of SABA’s work will include: Education and Policy Support: SABA will help members navigate the technical aspects of SAF and the SAF market, aviation emissions accounting, and the SAF policy landscape. Technology Innovation: SABA will assess emerging SAF technologies and work with like-minded organizations to help address barriers to scale and cost reduction. Investment Opportunity: SABA will establish a rigorous, transparent SAF certificate system enabling air transport customers – not only aircraft operators – to invest in high quality SAF to meet their ambitious climate goals. “The time is ripe to launch SABA now, as we begin to return to the skies and gather to celebrate Earth Day and support the U.S. Climate Summit,” said SABA Secretariat lead Kim Carnahan, former U.S. Chief Negotiator for Climate Change and Director of Disruption Technologies at ENGIE Impact. “Today is just the beginning for SABA. We will announce additional founding companies soon and plan to open for broad membership at the COP26 climate conference in November 2021.” Visit business.edf.org/saba for more information. A recording of the webinar held today with the founding companies is available here. Company Quotes: Boeing “Boeing has been a pioneer in making sustainable aviation fuels a reality, and we recently set the ambitious goal to make our commercial airplanes capable and certified to fly on 100% SAF by 2030. SABA provides us with the opportunity to reduce our business travel emissions through SAF certificates, while incentivizing more sustainable fuel production that will allow access for others, as well,” said Sheila Remes, Boeing Vice President of Environmental Sustainability. BCG “We are proud to be a founding member of the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance. BCG has set a bold ambition to achieve net-zero climate impact by 2030 and we support efforts to scale the adoption of sustainable aviation fuels and decarbonize air travel,” said Rich Lesser, CEO, BCG. Deloitte “We are proud to be a founding member of SABA and support its efforts to aggregate and increase demand for lower-carbon aviation fuel,” said Scott Corwin, Deloitte U.S. Leader for Sustainability and Climate Change. “Efforts such as SABA are important to harnessing the power of the market to set in motion and sustain the innovations needed to create a zero-carbon future.” JPMorgan Chase “We’re committed to advancing the development of new innovations that enable the transition to a lower-carbon world,” said Marisa Buchanan, Global Head of Sustainability, JPMorgan Chase. “As part of JPMorgan Chase’s efforts to help our clients reduce carbon emissions, and also achieve carbon neutrality within our own operational footprint, we’re excited to join the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance to help accelerate the path to net zero air transport.” Microsoft “Microsoft has a bold commitment to become carbon negative by 2030 and this requires us to create innovative new solutions and partnerships,” said Elizabeth Willmott, Carbon Program Manager, Microsoft. “As a corporate buyer and vocal supporter of high quality SAF, we’re pleased to join together with companies leading on climate action to support SABA’s mission to decarbonize aviation and ultimately, increase SAF production and adoption.” Netflix “It’s impossible to stabilize the climate without decarbonizing aviation emissions. Air travel plays an important role in how Netflix entertains the world — we can’t produce films, TV series and nature documentaries without it. We’re co-founding the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance to build a future where climate-friendly air travel is possible, and invite other companies to join the charge,” said Emma Stewart, Ph.D., Netflix Sustainability Officer Salesforce “At Salesforce, the environment is one of our key stakeholders. Over this past year, the way we live and work has changed dramatically, and now, more than ever, we must reimagine sustainable business travel and decarbonize aviation. As with all of climate action, we need an all of the above approach — to rethink when and how much we travel, about moving to digital wherever possible, and that long term we need Sustainable Aviation Fuel to play a critical role in driving air emissions to net zero,” said Patrick Flynn, VP of Sustainability at Salesforce. “We are proud to join SABA and help to accelerate the path to net zero air transport. Together, we can build a more equitable and sustainable world.” https://www.edf.org/media/edf-rmi-and-major-companies-launch-alliance-drive-aviation-decarbonization JetBlue Technology Ventures Invests in Universal Hydrogen to Support the Airline’s Ambitious Sustainability Strategy SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 22, 2021-- JetBlue Technology Ventures (JTV), the venture capital subsidiary of JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU), today announced its investment in Universal Hydrogen, the company fueling carbon-free flight, as part of its $20.5M Series A funding round. The financing allows Universal Hydrogen to accelerate the development of its hydrogen logistics network and regional aircraft conversion kits, and bolsters its burgeoning commercial activities. JTV’s primary goal is to better position JetBlue with startup-led innovation set to disrupt the travel industry, ultimately helping JetBlue chart a path toward net zero emissions. JTV supports JetBlue’s ambitious sustainability strategy and targets by investing in technology focusing on advanced methods of measuring and reducing emissions, improved environmental protections, and game-changing transportation. In 2020 JetBlue became the first U.S. airline to achieve carbon neutrality for all domestic flying, today primarily through carbon offsets while the industry builds up lower-carbon technologies to reduce direct emissions. Universal Hydrogen is building a fuel distribution network that connects hydrogen production directly to the airplane using modular capsules that are transported using the existing freight network, avoiding the need for costly new pipelines, storage facilities, and fuel trucks. The company is also developing conversion kits to retrofit existing 40-60 passenger regional airplanes with a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain. “Our investment in Universal Hydrogen is highly aligned with JetBlue’s environmental objectives, and this partnership allows the airline a seat at the table in the fast-developing hydrogen for aviation sector and provides valuable insight into the options, progress, and viability of hydrogen to help decarbonize aircraft operations,” said Jim Lockheed, Investment Principal at JTV. Universal Hydrogen was founded in 2020 by aviation industry veterans Paul Eremenko, John-Paul Clarke, Jason Chua, and Jon Gordon. First commercial flights are planned no later than 2025, with operating costs equivalent to those of conventional hydrocarbon-burning airplanes and decreasing rapidly thereafter. “We see the near-term decarbonization of regional aviation as a first step and catalyst, setting the whole industry on a path to meeting Paris Agreement emissions targets. Hydrogen is today the only viable fuel for getting to true zero emissions in commercial aviation, and our goal is to de-risk the decision for Airbus, Boeing, and COMAC to make their next new airplane in the 2030s a hydrogen-powered one,” said Paul Eremenko, Universal Hydrogen co-founder and CEO. The financing was led by Playground Global, and other investors include Fortescue Future Industries, Coatue, Global Founders Capital, Plug Power, Airbus Ventures, Toyota AI Ventures, Sojitz Corporation, and Future Shape. About JetBlue Technology Ventures JetBlue Technology Ventures invests in and partners with early stage startups innovating in the travel, transportation, and hospitality industries. The company prioritizes investments that advance the seamless customer-centric journey; technology powered customer service; the future of operations and maintenance; distribution, loyalty, and revenue management; and evolving regional travel. Founded in 2016, JetBlue Technology Ventures is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) and is located in Silicon Valley, California. For more information, visit www.JetBlueVentures.com. About Universal Hydrogen Universal Hydrogen is making hydrogen-powered commercial flight a near-term reality. The company takes a flexible, scalable, and capital-light approach to hydrogen logistics by transporting it in modular capsules over the existing freight network from green production sites to airports around the world. To accelerate market adoption, Universal Hydrogen is also developing a conversion kit to retrofit existing regional airplanes with a hydrogen-electric powertrain compatible with its modular capsule technology. https://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/associated_press/business/jetblue-technology-ventures-invests-in-universal-hydrogen-to-support-the-airline-s-ambitious-sustainability-strategy/article_8519deac-2f60-504d-9528-a24415ef2a5b.html Charlotte Douglas International Airport Selects Telos to Process Background Checks for Aviation Workers On April 20, Telos Corporation announced that the City of Charlotte has contracted with Telos to provide Transportation Security Administration (TSA)-approved Designated Aviation Channeling (DAC) services for processing worker background checks at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Telos’ DAC services improve data integrity, increase the efficiency of credentialing operations and reduce costs. DAC services enable submissions of workers’ biographic and biometric data to conduct background checks for individuals working in secure areas of U.S. commercial airports. “The DAC services deployment at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is notable for its integration with CLT’s Identity Management System, enabling efficient biographic and biometric transmissions,” said Dawn E. Lucini, vice president of aviation security, Telos. “We have streamlined the TSA-required aviation worker background check process, while upholding the high security and customer service standards at CLT.” As an encrypted, web-based solution, Telos’ DAC services meet TSA and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements for handling personally identifiable information and biometrics. The modular design supports each airport’s and air carrier’s needs, and users can perform multiple functions on one platform. “Telos is the recognized leader in assuring the identities of aviation workers with advanced biometric and enrollment solutions, evidenced by the growing roster of airports and airlines – 90 and counting – that currently use Telos DAC services,” said Lucini. “We are pleased to support the City of Charlotte and its world-class airport in their efforts to provide excellence in credentialing and vetting services, all while reducing costs and providing superior customer care and flexibility.” In February, Telos also added Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) to their customer list. FAT is the primary commercial airport serving the San Joaquin Valley and three national parks: Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon. https://www.aviationpros.com/airports/airport-technology/press-release/21219231/telos-identity-management-solutions-llc-charlotte-douglas-international-airport-selects-telos-to-process-background-checks-for-aviation-workers Swiss battery venture teams up with magniX and Harbour Air on electric plane One of the pioneers of battery-powered aviation is joining a Pacific Northwest team that’s aiming to get an all-electric seaplane certified for service in Canada. H55, the Swiss battery venture co-founded by Solar Impulse pilot André Borschberg, is partnering with Vancouver, B.C.-based Harbour Air Seaplanes and Everett, Wash.-based magniX on their project to convert De Havilland Beaver commuter airplanes to all-electric power. Harbour Air is providing the Beaver, magniX is providing the electric propulsion system, and now H55 will provide its advanced battery modules to power the plane. MagniX and Harbour Air have been putting a prototype eBeaver through flight tests since December 2019 to gather data on such parameters as cruise performance, takeoff thrust efficiency, electromagnetic interference and noise levels. The team is working with Transport Canada on a supplemental type certificate program to clear converted all-electric planes for commercial operations by as early as next year. Eventually, Harbour Air plans to transform all of its seaplanes into an all-electric fleet. The company provides commuter air service to a locations along British Columbia’s coast, plus “nerd bird” flights between Vancouver and Seattle. H55 was founded to continue the vision of Solar Impulse 2, which Borschberg and fellow adventurer Bertrand Piccard piloted around the world on a historic solar-powered trip in 2015-2016. “I believe that H55 is the leading company in aviation battery solutions,” Harbour Air CEO Greg McDougall said today in a news release. “Having them as partners in the ePlane development means that we will be able to lead the global push for electric aviation.” Borschberg, who serves as H55’s executive chairman, said he was attracted by the all-electric vision laid out by Harbour Air and magniX. “We all understand that the path to electric aviation is complicated,” he said. “But at the same time, by joining forces, our combined experience will lead to quicker certification. And this in turn will offer a fast and safe way to reach the market and popularize electric aviation.” MagniX CEO Roei Ganzarski said the expanded partnership marks “another step forward in our vision of making emission-free, all-electric aircraft a reality.” “With Harbour Air leading the way to become an all-electric airline, H55’s battery technology and magniX’s flight-proven propulsion, we are looking at an electrifying future,” Ganzarski said. MagniX — which recently moved its headquarters from Redmond, Wash., to a new 40,000-square-foot production facility in Everett — is also developing propulsion systems for converted Cessna Caravans operated by Sydney Seaplanes in Australia, for Eviation’s all-electric Alice airplane, for planes that Universal Hydrogen will convert to run on fuel-cell power, and for Faradair’s future fleet of hybrid triplanes. https://www.geekwire.com/2021/swiss-battery-venture-teams-harbour-air-magnix-electric-airplane/ ZubAir teams up with RTI for developing flight data access technology Efforts to modernize flight data tracking have taken a big step forward, thanks to ZubAir Data LLC, a start-up and client of the Fredonia Technology Incubator, and its industry affiliate Real-Time Innovations (RTI), a major software framework company for autonomous systems. ZubAir, founded by Fredonia Department of Computer and Information Sciences Professor and Chair Junaid Zubairi, teamed up with RTI Connext DDS, of Sunnyvale, Calif., to provide the real time data connectivity framework for its Flight Data Tracker System, which aims to transmit vital black box data in real-time to ground-level sensors in addition to storing it in the “black box” on the airplane. The specific Connext DDS features integrated with the ZubAir system include topic-wise transmission, ranges, encryption, authentication and Quality-of-Service (QoS). The new patented ZubAir system uses a unique data transmission method that more rapidly processes information while eliminating rogue data and therefore ensures faster, safer data flow. During initial testing conducted in early 2021, ZubAir’s data transmission aligned with the publisher-subscriber model of the RTI Connext system. Subsequently, data was published to the RTI Connext databus under specific topics from one publisher, as well as allowing subscriptions by multiple subscribers. Values were restricted within the permitted range so that rogue data could be located easily. Additionally, Connext DDS offers fine-grained security capabilities that enable ZubAir to control the access permissions to the data. Specific aircraft engine and single-topic data were bound with real-time QoS and transmitted and received, imposing the real-time QoS limits within the specified time bounds. RTI’s software supports important avionics standards. Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE™) is an open avionics environment for all military airborne platform types. DO-178C is the primary standard for commercial avionics software development. Connext DDS is certified as FACE conformant and has supporting COTS RTCA DO-178C certification evidence. Individually, these offer a proven, low-risk path to end user FACE conformance and DO-178C safety certification. ZubAir and RTI will continue working together to advance the Flight Data Tracker System. “The next target is to implement the software on the computing platforms in aviation and test the whole system for successful data transmission,” said Dr. Zubairi, who patented the Flight Data Tracker technology. ZubAir will continue to develop the integrated product further and plans to work on providing it on standard aviation RTOS (real time operating systems). https://www.fredonia.edu/news/articles/zubair-teams-rti-developing-flight-data-access-technology Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Solutions for the Aviation Industry Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology is evolving at a rapid rate and it is proving to be a powerful game-changer from every aspect. As a result, many diverse industries are now readily experimenting with this immersive technology to streamline their operations, improve capabilities, and train staff in a better way. Given the expensive nature of the aviation industry and the high cost of making mistakes, VR has now become a great asset for aviation companies to provide better service and train their staff in a more accurate way. In the years 2017, 2018 and 2019, there have been 59, 561 and 287 deaths, respectively, due to airline crashes and failures. While the fatalities due to airplanes have significantly reduced in the last 50 years, making airline travel one of the safest modes of transportation, there is still a long way to go. By improving training practices of the airline crew, VR technology can make the aviation industry safer, at reduced costs. In this blog, we will discuss how virtual reality and augmented reality is transforming the aviation industry and helping the aviation industry in many ways. VR/AR in Aviation: Main Use Cases Aircraft inspection training: Virtual reality training can provide airlines and ground handlers a safe environment to learn and enhance their aircraft inspection skills . Virtual Reality (VR) for Aircraft inspection enables training on various conditions of aircraft inspection on all types of aircrafts so as to eliminate any possibilities of a failure during operation. The headset puts teams on a visual airside and allows them to interact with virtual replicas of aircrafts and conduct a visual inspection of a virtual aircraft on a cargo bay or an apron. Cabin crew training: Cabin crew staff aren’t just responsible for ensuring all the passengers are comfortable, but they are also responsible for ensuring safety. Before the take-off, cabin crew is expected to ensure all the equipment like flashlights, extinguishers, and life vests are present in the aircraft and working well. They are required to monitor the cabin for any smoke and suspicious passenger behavior. Moreover, flight attendants also need to demonstrate all the safety instructions before they take off. By substituting classroom training with VR training, cabin crew can learn how to handle difficult real-life situations like medical emergencies, an imminent crash or hijacking through a virtual environment. With the immersive VR technology, cabin crew staff is able to make mistakes in virtual training and learn from them, which directly leads to better on-site job performance. Flight deck training: The flight deck crew includes the pilot and co-pilot who sit in the airplane cockpit. VR part task trainers help familiarize the flight deck crew with the cockpit and train them on the necessary skills needed to react quickly and handle even the most difficult situations. With a virtual environment and head-mounted display (HMDs), pilots can familiarize themselves with the cockpit controls and different scenarios they might face while flying. In-flight entertainment: With the steady growth and advancements of virtual reality, airlines like Air France and Lufthansa are now using VR to offer immersive entertainment to passengers. It's normal for people to feel discomfort while flying due to other passengers talking loudly, babies crying or just the standard aircraft noise. This can in turn make relaxing and unwinding a struggle for many. While putting on headphones can help cancel out the noise, it's not always easy to ignore your surroundings which can be very tiring for passengers flying long distances. However, a VR head-mounted display along with headphones can give passengers the perfect escape to relax and take a breather even in a completely packed flight. With the help of VR, passengers can watch dreamscapes to help them sleep better or even the last football match they missed in a completely 360-degree video. Aircraft maintenance and MRO training : With virtual reality and augmented reality, it becomes possible for aircraft mechanics and MRO technicians to learn to inspect different parts of the aircraft even without leaving their desks. One of the largest manufacturers of aircrafts, Airbus, is using the VR technology through its portable RHEA kit which comes with a virtual reality headset, touchpads and infrared cameras that allow its mechanics to inspect and repair aircrafts in a completely immersive environment. Companies Using VR/AR in Aviation Celebi Aviation Holding : As part of its focus on learning and development, Celebi Aviation Holding set up an Aviation Academy in Turkey with VR solution. Tecknotrove has designed the VR solution for training and assessment for aircraft and apron inspection for Celebi. Unlike traditional learning experiences, the VR training module places the user inside a virtual airside environment to learn and interact with a virtual aircraft, different type of aprons . The VR module enables training in multiple scenarios for pre arrival, post arrival, pre departure and post departure inspection. The module focused on fault identification on the apron and the aircraft, learning the correct course of action in case of an identified fault, working under different environmental conditions, under LVO and night operations and more. The VR solution was designed on a variety of narrow and wide body commercial aircrafts of Boeing and Airbus both. Aircraft range included A320, A321, B 737, A 330, A 350, B 777, B 787, A 380 to list a few. Qatar Airways: Leading airlines from Qatar is using VR training for multiple applications including line maintenance teams, training cabin crews and ground handlers. The VR training is helping Qatar Airways to move from instructor-driven training programs to learner driven training programs. Tecknotrove developed a custom built airside environment for Qatar Airways with a wide range of virtual aircrafts from Boeing and Airbus to enable training in a highly realistic virtual environment so as to reduce the training time and cost. Lufthansa: Lufthansa uses VR technology for in-flight entertainment purposes by offering its passengers a 360-degree immersive video viewing experience while traveling. The German airline also uses VR in order to encourage more customers to upgrade their seats from economy class to business class by showing them the 360-degree video of what it is like to fly in business class. SIA Engineering Company: SIA Engineering (SIAEC) is among the largest independent MRO. The company is investing in next generation training aids, including virtual reality solutions that can simulate actual on-ground scenarios within a safe and controlled environment. The company is using technology to train its pushback operators, baggage handlers, airside drivers and line maintenance teams to improve the safety and the aircraft turnaround times. Air France: Air France is offering immersive entertainment to its passengers through head-mounted displays and VR videos. By partnering with SkyLights, Air France has created a special headset for passengers that fly on its Airbus A340. SATS: SATS introduced the augmented reality technology to their 600 employees at the Singapore Changi Airport. With the help of these AR glasses, the ramp handling workers can scan QR codes placed on cargo containers to see the baggage loading instructions (flight number, placement location, etc.) in real time. SATS estimates that the loading time for an average twin-aisle jetliner will shorten by 15 minutes per flight because workers won’t have to use paper and will always know what goes where thanks to AR. Japan Airlines: Japan Airlines (JAL) uses VR technology to provide better training to their aviation mechanics and improve their skills. The VR training simulation programs help mechanics and maintenance engineers to get more familiar with the engine’s run-up procedure in a virtual and yet very realistic environment. Moreover, aviation mechanics also get the opportunity to test their knowledge in different scenarios, identify their mistakes, and work on them. Future of VR/AR in the Aviation Industry It is estimated that the virtual reality and augmented reality market in aviation will grow by more than $1372 million by the end of 2025 with a compound annual growth rate of 61.2 percent. VR in the aviation industry is clearly here to stay. Companies that readily adopt it will stay ahead of the curve. Whereas, companies that do not leverage VR at the right time risk falling behind their competition. One of Asia’s leading companies in developing customized simulators, augmented reality solutions, virtual reality solutions and gamified training solutions for industry and government, Tecknotrove Systems offers customized virtual training solutions and augmented reality solutions for the aviation industry. https://www.aviationpros.com/gse/gse-technology/blog/21219689/tecknotrove-systems-virtual-reality-and-augmented-reality-solutions-for-the-aviation-industry Is direct air capture the solution for aviation decarbonization? Aviation is often targeted by green politicians and environmental activists for its contribution to global carbon dioxide emissions, which currently stands between 2 and 3%. While electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft are often cited as the long-term solution, it is thought that such technology will not arrive soon enough to have a meaningful impact. So, to help with the decarbonization of human activity, companies such as Carbon Engineering, a Canadian-based clean energy company, focus on the large-scale removal of carbon dioxide from the air by utilizing Direct Air Capture technology to help meet net-zero goals through applications such as permanent carbon removal and the production of sustainable aviation fuels. To mark Earth Day 2021, AeroTime News talks to Amy Ruddock, Vice President for Europe at Carbon Engineering. Ruddock served as Vice-President of Corporate Development and Sustainability at Virgin Atlantic before joining Carbon Engineering, where she is responsible for promoting innovative technology in a bid to drive the decarbonization of the aviation industry. A lot of attention has previously focused on carbon capture at the source and from the scrubbers and filters on the flue-gas stacks of harmful industries. But this technology can only be applied to large static emitters and discards numerous smaller polluters like aircraft. Ruddock says: “Mounting direct air capture on the back of the plane, like a tailpipe extractor, probably isn't going to work physically [and will hinder] its ability to take off.” Direct air capture is the process of capturing CO2 directly from the air. It differs from other carbon capture methods, because it captures CO2 from the ambient air, rather than at source – for example from industrial flues. “Wherever carbon is emitted, it is quickly dispersed across the atmosphere,’ says Ruddock. “Direct air capture allows you to remove that carbon from anywhere, and where you pick is the most favorable location to run a plant.” The technological solution developed by Carbon Engineering involves extracting the carbon dioxide from the air and, through a series of chemical processes, producing a concentrated stream of pure carbon dioxide. The chemical elements used in the process (potash and lime) are recycled in a closed loop that repeats endlessly, minimizing waste. The product, which is concentrated carbon dioxide, can then either be sequestered underground into geological formations or turned into transportation fuel. “The latter is a more circular economy,” explains Ruddock. “You are producing transportation fuels that result in CO2 circling around the atmosphere, rather than putting more fossil fuel into the atmosphere.” A short to medium-term carbon offsetting solution for aviation Aviation is turning towards more sustainable solutions, including electric and hydrogen power. In the short to medium-term, such innovations might turn into a profitable venture for short-haul innovation. But it will likely take some time before a proven technology allows for zero emission long-haul aviation to be possible. In the meantime, solutions like synthetic fuels and direct air capture can lessen the environmental impact of the aviation industry. Ruddock explains: “To get to net zero means that for every molecule that is taken from the geosphere to the atmosphere, you need to move one from the atmosphere to the geosphere. Part of our portfolio of decarbonization will be biological solutions which lock carbon in the biosphere ꟷ trees are absolutely fantastic and need to be part of the portfolio, but they will last for 100 years and only start sequestering when they are about 20 years old. You then need to replant that tree again and again in order to avoid the carbon dioxide going back to the atmosphere. “Permanent removal like direct air capture, like bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, and mineralization, capture it for 10,000 years or longer. So, you need to think about your portfolio over time moving towards those permanent removals. She adds: “You might start today with 10% of your portfolio doing permanent removals, then, as you get towards 2050, for any offsets that you need to still do, you should be at 100%.” The use of direct air capture is constrained by two parameters. The first one is a business model to support its deployment, the second is a sufficient source of sustainable energy. “If we're talking about sequestering underground, then you'd ideally locate somewhere that has those geological formations,” says Ruddock. “It costs a lot to transport gaseous solutions.” When it comes to reusing the concentrated carbon dioxide, Carbon Engineering is focusing on the largest markets. For example, the agricultural market of greenhouses with a carbon-enriched atmosphere provides some offtake but is dwarfed by transportation fuels. Ruddock says: “With Carbon Engineering, we are focused on making climate-relevant scale plants, so each of our plants is on the megaton scale. That tends to be a lot more than a single greenhouse or a group of greenhouses can off-take in a year. So, it really is looking for those bigger markets to scale up very quickly.” Is sustainable aviation fuel and direct air capture in competition? For Ruddock, it’s not a case of either-or, but synergy between several solutions that will eventually bring aviation to complete and sustainable decarbonization. She says: “Sustainable aviation fuels produced by biological sources will get increasingly expensive as feedstock runs out, meaning that direct air capture will look even cheaper in comparison. But there are co-benefits with sustainable fuels. We've been talking about carbon dioxide and sustainable fuels – they are also cleaner burning, so fewer sulfur oxides, fewer nitric oxides, and research is starting to show fewer contrails. “So, there are lots of reasons why you'd want sustainable aviation fuels. To have the optimum pathway that balances those benefits and the costs, you likely want to pair them with direct air capture.” Ruddock welcomes the efforts of governments, airlines, manufacturers and fuel suppliers in driving the industry towards decarbonization. She says: “I look to the example of Europe. There are clear aviation decarbonization roadmaps that have been produced by industry groups. Then, it's a case of starting to act on those roadmaps. Jet Zero Council in the UK is a good example of public-private partnership looking at that very question.” In June 2020, the British government launched the Jet Zero Council, a partnership between industry and government to bring together ministers and chief executive officer-level stakeholders, with the aim of delivering zero-emission transatlantic flights by 2025, through the funded development of new technologies to cut aviation emissions. However, one of the difficulties that such solutions may encounter is defined by Ruddock as ‘international distortion’. This is where criteria imposed on carriers in a certain country could lead them to relocate their business elsewhere or re-route through other hubs. Consequently, any agreements regarding sustainability should involve regional level at least, ideally international, but it’s a balance between avoiding distortion and bringing about solutions on a timescale the world needs. https://www.aerotime.aero/27740-direct-air-capture-in-aviation Eurocontrol Outlines Means to Cut CO2 by 25 percent by 2030 Every flight operating in Europe could become on average more than 25 percent “greener” by 2030 while using existing technology, according to a new so-called think paper published by Eurocontrol on Tuesday. The paper asserts that the aviation industry can make significant progress toward the “perfect green flight” through measures including increased use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), more efficient use of airspace, and fleet modernization by airlines. Eurocontrol estimates that such efforts could eliminate 4,268 kg of CO2 emissions by 2030 out of 16,632 kg produced during an average flight in the wider European area. Better use of fuel-efficient air traffic management improvements could account for 8.6 percent to 11.2 percent (up to 1,863 kg) of those improvements, said the study. Accelerating the transition from the research and development phase to deployment of the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) joint undertaking and improving the functioning and performance of the network to the greatest extent will prove crucial, it added. The study also concluded that emerging aircraft technologies in the form of hybrid, fully electric, and hydrogen airplanes will “transform” aviation during the 20-year period starting in 2030. By 2050, those new airplanes will prevail on short- to medium-haul routes, while SAF use will predominate in long-haul operations. By then, SAF will account for 83 percent of all fuel burned if efforts to increase production capacity prove successful, regardless of any further technological developments, said Eurocontrol. Today, SAF accounts for less than 0.1 percent of all fuel used by the commercial aviation industry in Europe, according to the paper. Calling SAF “the most important recent development on the sustainability front,” the Eurocontrol study estimates that a 50 percent blend of such fuel to conventional jet fuel can cut CO2 emissions from aviation by 40 percent. However, given today’s relatively minuscule level of SAF use, the paper stressed the importance of accelerating production of the fuel and increasing its availability at major hubs to reduce their cost, which runs three times the amount of jet-A. According to the European Union’s Destination 2050 report, with “proper” incentives, SAF could account for 6 percent of fuel used by 2030. The International Energy Agency’s Sustainable Development Scenario21 estimates about a 10 percent share in 2030 and 19 percent in 2040, while countries such as Norway and Finland already have set a 30 percent target by 2030. “A firm policy support target of 10 percent SAF by 2030 could lead to higher demand than initially expected and a faster decarbonization of aviation,” said the Eurocontrol paper. “This would accelerate SAF uptake, leading to higher demand and speeding up aviation decarbonization—permitting more ambitious target setting in the future. Twenty percent SAF use by 2030 would represent a colossal challenge to meet, but would potentially deliver 16 percent in CO2 savings per flight, leading, with the other measures proposed, to 34 percent in CO2 emissions savings per flight.” Measures needed to meet such goals start with passengers, according to Eurocontrol. Non-transit passengers arriving late to the gate cause small delays that can add complexity to managing departures. Meanwhile, airlines that opt to speed en-route flight to compensate for delays and missed slots increase fuel burn and thus emissions. Airlines and airports share responsibility for the second set of measures. Moving an aircraft using its own auxiliary power unit (APU) burns far more fuel in most cases than using a mobile ground power unit (GPU) for that purpose, for example. APUs also generate more noise, more pollution, and increase aircraft maintenance costs. The third set of measures lies with air traffic control (ATC). Each minute taxiing with engine on burns 3 to 10 kg of fuel, so ATC should prioritize minimizing ground delays for aircraft with engines already running and facilitate engine-off taxi solutions, said the report. Some ATC and airport processes significantly influence the performance of the aircraft from the beginning of the flight. Employing best practices for stand allocation, the use of fixed electrical ground power and pre-conditioned air, the flexible use of taxiways to minimize taxi time, the use of Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) to avoid long queues at the holding points, and the optimization of runway throughput to avoid delays all can contribute to improvements, added the study. Finally, the use of semi- or fully electrical aircraft towing systems brings immediate environmental benefits; delaying engine start-up can reduce fuel consumption during taxiing by 50 to 85 percent. Meanwhile, the takeoff phase offers a number of potential improvements air traffic and airlines can effect, of which Continuous Climb Operations (CCO) brings the most important environmental benefit, said the paper. Air traffic controllers should, as far as possible, clear flights to climb, avoid unnecessary level-offs and permit the most fuel-efficient CCOs. Other measures include the use of so-called rolling takeoffs to seamlessly deliver clearances and avoid aircraft stopping on the runway. Once the airplane gets in the air, cruising accounts for the longest flight phase and the biggest effect on overall CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. “Nevertheless, there are a series of improvements that can be made,” notes the report. On-board systems such as the flight management system ensure that the crew can aim to fly using the optimum values of speed and cruise level, it added. Operators should update those systems with the latest wind and atmospheric condition information, and the crew should fly at a speed corresponding to the best specific range (maximizing the distance flown for a given amount of fuel) on minimal drag configuration whenever possible and try to maintain an optimum altitude. Finally, upon landing, more efficient taxi-in during ground operations means minimizing the use of engine thrust and brakes, choosing the shortest route, using reduced engine taxi techniques such as using a single engine on arrival, delaying the start of the APU, and shutting it off as soon as possible, the report concluded. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2021-04-20/eurocontrol-outlines-means-cut-co2-25-percent-2030 Ambry Hill Technologies Announced the Launch of Their Cloud-Based ERP Software, Vista Suite CAMBRIDGE, Minn., April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- An entirely new approach to business software is drawing the attention of technology and aviation industry experts all over the world. Consider that thousands of businesses still rely on legacy ERP programs that were designed over two decades ago, back when fax machines and pagers were in their prime. These Legacy ERP programs often carry a hefty price tag, require expensive, on-premises computer hardware for hosting, and demand the attention of a paid professional for even the simplest of modifications (eg. adding custom fields, reports, dashboards). One of the challenges that companies face when selecting new ERP software is the migration of their data. Ambry Hill has created a groundbreaking solution to this age-old problem. Traditionally, the process of switching from one ERP system to another included extracting data from the old system and importing it into the new system. This is often expensive, slow, and rarely produces good results. Ambry Hill's alternative to this approach is to connect to the old dataset and integrate that information into the screens of Vista Suite so that it appears to be part of the system. "Traditional data migration is available if a customer so chooses, but our technology offers a flexible, low-cost alternative for rapid deployment," said Paul Stewart, President of Ambry Hill, "and the data views can be changed on demand to accommodate the user's changing needs." Vista Suite is a modern, full ERP software as a service (SaaS) solution that is affordable for all business sizes. A mission-critical SaaS product, Vista Suite ERP is built on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform and provides users around the world with best-in-class security and reliability. Cole Davisson, VP of Software Innovation, commented, "Our software is for today's modern age. The post-COVID world will see more workforces that are mobile, agile and highly productive." Ambry Hill comprises aviation industry veterans that know the detailed job functions of every user of their software. Meticulous effort went into the design and functional flow of the user interface, including the mobile applications. "We are excited to bring such a rich suite of features that include inventory management, RFQ and quote automation, order processing, logistics, invoicing, analytics dashboard, custom reporting and more," said Richard Frisk, VP of Sales. "Raising the bar, we are addressing the pain points that legacy users have been asking for, for years," said Neil Prodger, Director of European Sales. "Many of the newer systems on the market are not solving the problems that we are." About Ambry Hill Technologies: Ambry HillTechnologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of AirT, an industrious American holding company established in 1980, consisting of 10 companies with over 400 employees. https://www.southernminn.com/around_the_web/news/article_966d4a11-243c-5d13-9750-20bdc91c1adb.html RED Aircraft announces that their engine technology powers the Airlander 10 RED Aircraft GmbH announces that they have been working closely with Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd (HAV) to provide the technology to power Airlander 10. The RED A03 engines will be used in the base configuration of the aircraft, using four of its ultra-efficient piston engines. Airlander 10 is set to deliver up to a 75% reduction in emissions over comparable aircraft in similar roles. Utilising a combination of buoyant lift from helium with aerodynamic lift and vectored thrust, Airlander 10 creates significant efficiency over conventional aircraft and helicopters. The RED A03 combustion engines have been selected for Airlander 10. Created from a clean-sheet design, the engine provides ultra-efficient power and performance. The RED A03 drives many environmental benefits when compared with other equivalent propulsion solutions. Characterised by significantly lower CO2 emissions, the RED A03 is also an optimal platform for the development of hybrid-electric aircraft installations. High thermodynamic efficiency drives low fuel consumption. Optimised combustion results in reduced exhaust emissions. Low exhaust noise stems from intelligent engine architecture. The RED A03 ecological features are • Low fuel burn • Low exhaust gas pollution • Reduced noise emissions • High thermodynamic efficiency • Type Certified at EASA TC.E.150 and FAA Jürgen Schwarz Head of Commercial RED Aircraft GmbH Airlander is the next step towards a greener future, combining our engine with the innovative characteristics of Airlander has created a significantly efficient aircraft. Normally, full power is only needed for take-off and climb, whilst during cruise, only a fraction of the available power is needed. With this concept, the RED A03 engine in combination with Airlander buoyant and aerodynamic lift makes for superb efficiency levels. James Bell, Programmes Director HAV Ltd Our relationship with RED Aircraft is built on the common purpose of delivering efficiency in flight. RED Aircraft work to the high standards we require of our trusted suppliers, allowing us to bring our low emissions aircraft to market from 2025. RED A03 and Hybrid Applications RED Aircraft RED A03 has been the selected powerplant behind several aviation innovations. The engine variations are used in a wide variety of situations including UAVs, Provisional Rotary Wing, Hybrid and APUs https://www.aviation24.be/airlines/red-aircraft-announces-that-their-engine-technology-powers-the-airlander-10-blimp/ SpaceX aims for 3rd crew launch hour before Friday’s sunrise CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — SpaceX aimed to launch its third crew a little before sunrise Friday, this time using a recycled capsule and rocket. The four astronauts, representing the U.S., Japan and France, were supposed to fly to the International Space Station on Thursday. But liftoff was delayed because of poor weather offshore. SpaceX’s Dragon capsule requires calm waves and winds in case an emergency splashdown is needed during the climb to orbit. Friday’s forecast should be much improved, officials said. Liftoff was set for 5:49 a.m. EDT. “Our friends on the @Space_Station are expecting us to show up and we don’t want to be late,” tweeted French astronaut Thomas Pesquet. “They even installed my bedroom recently and literally made my bed. Such nice hosts!” For the first time, Elon Musk’s company is launching astronauts with a previously flown capsule and rocket, just as it’s done for station supply runs. This crew capsule launched with SpaceX’s first crew last May, and the rocket hoisted the second crew in November. NASA’s spacecraft commander Shane Kimbrough and his crew will spend six months at the space station, replacing four astronauts who will return next Wednesday in their own SpaceX capsule, parachuting into the Gulf of Mexico near Tallahassee, Florida. To celebrate Earth Day on Thursday, Kimbrough tweeted a sunrise beach shot from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. “Amazing way to appreciate our planet this morning!” he said. Besides Kimbrough and Pesquet, the crew includes NASA’s Megan McArthur and Japan’s Akihiko Hoshide. https://www.blackhillsfox.com/2021/04/22/spacex-aims-for-3rd-crew-launch-hour-before-fridays-sunrise/ Curt Lewis