Speaker Interviews
Niek van Amstel, Airport planner
NACO, Netherlands
How do you see the advancements in electric and hybrid aerospace technologies influencing the future of sustainable aviation over the next decade?
I believe that the current advancements in electric and hybrid aerospace technologies lay the basis for a future sustainable aviation. Although these technologies are not capable of replacing all ‘conventional’ flights, a significant part is possible. Hydrogen fuel cells in combination with electric engines look the most promising in terms of greenhouse gas emission reductions, while fully battery electric is the perfect solution for smaller GA and commercial flights.
What are the key challenges that the industry faces in transitioning to electric and hybrid propulsion?
The main challenges I see are a slow certification process, battery density, increased weights that induce payload/range reduction and a current shortage of full-size testing aircraft.