In the need to reduce the environmental impact of our activities, especially regarding air quality, Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) and resource efficicency, hybrid-electric propulsion systems have the potential to significantly reduce fuel consumption in the aviation industry, and one sector where they can be commercialised very quickly is in the light-aircraft (manned and unmanned). In addition, another menace caused by aircraft, which is noise pollution can be drastically cut through electric propulsion. Also very importantly regarding safety, the hybrid propulsion provides a backup motor option in case of engine failure that accounts for 32% of all fatal crashes. In addition, the retrofitting of the existing stock can benefit greatly in reuse of existing resources whilst meeting the tighter complainace regulations regarding emissions and noise pollution Source. Nevertheless, despite these benefits and the technology, currently there is no company that is effectively meeting this market for the light aircraft sector, particularly leveraging the benefits of retrofitting the existing stock. This project presents HYBPROP as a solution, and proposes an innovative technology and business model to address the market gap. HYBPROP is a solution designed by the aeronautic company AXTER AEROSPACE that will introduce novel technology and business model aimed initially at retrofitting the existing stock of gasoline powered aircraft to pluggable-hybrid electric propulsion aircrafts, having the sufficient maturity of the tested technology at a time where the opportunities are ripe, focused on a market segment that will benefit greatly, as detailed below:
1. The primary cost of aircraft maintenance tends to be engine replacement. Given that the average light aircraft in use is upwards of 30 years old, there is a large market retrofitting aeroplanes and this market will grow as tighter emissions regulations come into force Source.
2. The typical use patter of light aircraft – short durantion and high frequency (average one hour, and hundred per year) Source makes them very suitable for electric conversion, particularly as the low range is not an issue.
3. The new regulations put forth in Europe and coming to force worldwide restrict and penalise contamination of air transport and aim to reduce noise pollution; aiming to reduce environmental and social pressures, namely contamination from fossil fuels and reducing noise pollution. As such there will be greater consumer demand and regulatory incentives towards hybrid and electric propulsion aircraft.
4. The hybrid engines offer greater in-flight security by offering a backup propulsion method in case of the single engine failure. Given light aircraft tend to be single engine this benefit is highly desirable and demanded – reducing incidents: 71 annual deaths in Europe Source [see video].
Majority of light aircraft owners are not professional (81%) [Source]. As such the high maintenance costs to be done at airports is a major consideration given the need to be done at official airports. Our techjnolgoy reduces maintenance costs significantly, our business model integrates maintenance contracts as a Technology as a Service.
Being unique of its kind in the market, HYBPROP pursues to accelerate the market adoption and international penetration of the best hybrid plane engine (electric-fuel combination) by preparing ourselves for the commercialisation of our own developed technology which is adaptable existing combustion engine aircraft. The disruptive technology means aircraft can use the electric motor for taxiing and for the majority of the period in-flight, reducing the consumption of fuel and the maintenance cost of the engine.
The aim of the phase-1 is to carry out a feasibility study to analyze the viability of the HYBPROP solution to be offered at international level.
