For several decades, the aviation industry has been successful in continuously increasing the efficiency of its engines and airframes, resulting in a reduction in emissions per passenger over time.
However, a continuous increase in passenger demand means the increase in overall emissions has outstripped any efficiency gains.
We need to stop emitting CO2 from aircraft completely
This requires a revolution (not evolution) of propulsion & aircraft technology
The Zero Emissions Aviation Age is upon us
Every leap in aviation technology to date has started with small aircraft.
The beginning of the Zero Emissions Age will be no different.
These will come to market first in applications using small aircraft
(6-19 seats), powered by hydrogen stored as a gas.
Aircraft using gaseous hydrogen can enter the market sooner, laying the foundation for future developments.
Small zero emissions aircraft are more than just a technology step
Short hop, sub-regional air services have suffered in
recent years from the economics of kerosene and the
progression to ever larger aircraft to bring the cost per
passenger down.
Zero emissions technology can significantly reduce
the operating costs of 6-19 seat aircraft, ensuring
much needed regional connectivity that is profitable
but mitigates environmental impact.
Hydrogen has 3X the energy density of conventional aviation fuel and produces zero CO2 emissions the most credible solution for aviation.
Batteries have 1/30th of the energy density of hydrogen. Battery solutions therefore come with significant weight penalties, limiting payload and range to levels that struggle to deliver a commercially viable solution.
Hybrid-Electric solutions can be beneficial in cars, but the added weight and complexity means their adoption in aircraft results in minimal CO2 benefit.
