Market Intelligence: -Training Aircraft Developments

Groupe ADP joins forces with six leaders in carbon-free regional aviation to accelerate the introduction of electric- and hydrogen-powered 2 to 100-seat aircraft on its airfields and at Paris-Le Bourget, Paris-Orly and Paris-CDG airports before 2030.

These new aircraft are thus set to decarbonize flights around aerodromes, and to serve radial, regional and short-haul routes in Europe.

Within the framework established with each manufacturer, Groupe ADP will work alongside them to:

• Identify potential substitutes for existing flights on its platforms, notably in conjunction with airlines;
• Consolidate the need for new energies (electric, hydrogen, SAF) and identify the necessary facilities;
• Define supply chains, logistics and aircraft fuelling and its infrastructure (storage, handling, setting up H2 stations).
• Collaborate with regulatory authorities on safety, procedures, training, etc.

Over the next year, the Groupe ADP will be working alongside its partners to make progress on these points, and other companies may join the alliance.

Each of the manufacturers, with its own specific features, is helping to make possible the transition of the sector in the very short term, which will be based on:

1. The Electrification of general aviation fleets is already underway, with the Pipistrel’s Velis Electro at the forefront

Pipistrel’ Velis Electro:
– 100% electric
– Passengers: 2 seats
– Cruise speed: 167km/h
– Range: up to 50mn
– Certification horizon: EASA since 2020

2. Hydrogen, thanks in particular to the conversion and retrofit of regional aircraft, with technologies developed by Universal Hydrogen, ZeroAvia and Beyond Aero

Universal Hydrogen:
– Hydrogen engine
– Passengers : 56 seats
– Range: 1 000 km
– Certification horizon: 2025

ZeroAvia:
– Hydrogen engine
– Passengers: 90 seats
– Range: 1 900 km
– Certification horizon: 2027

Beyond Aero’s One BYA-1:
– Hydrogen engine
– Passengers: 4 to 8 seats
– Cruise speed: 575 km/h
– Range: 1 500 km
– Certification horizon: by 2029

3. Hybrids, with aircraft using electric power and sustainable fuels developed by VoltAero

VoltAero Cassion 330, Cassio 480 & Cassio 600:
– Electric-hybrid and Hydrogen-hybrid engine
– Passengers: 4/5 seats for Cassio 330, 6 seats for Cassio 480 and 10/12 seats for Cassio 600
– Range: 200 to 1 200 km
– Certification horizon: 2024 for Cassio 330

Daher:
– Hybrid engine
– Passengers: 6 to 12 seats
– Developed from the results of the EcoPulse demonstrator
– Certification horizon: TBM and/or Kodiak hybrid to be marketed by 2027
– Performance similar to the current range

Groupe ADP has undertaken specific actions with each manufacturer to accelerate their integration on its platforms, and the marketing of their aircraft:

– Pipistrel: Toussus-le-Noble aerodrome was the launch site of the Velis Electro, after the aircraft received EASA certification in June 2020. The Groupe ADP and TotalEnergies are also deploying a network of self-service electric terminals at airfields in the Paris region to support fleet conversion (Etampes, Toussus, Pontoise).
– VoltAero: experts from the Groupe ADP’s laboratory help to measure the aircraft’s acoustic impact. Test flights to link Paris airports are in preparation.
– Universal Hydrogen: studies and tests to be carried out to demonstrate the entire logistics of hydrogen capsules under real operating conditions.
– ZeroAvia: studies and future developments to enable the supply of liquid or gaseous hydrogen at Paris-Le Bourget airport.
– Beyond Aero: initial results from substitution studies at Paris-Le Bourget show potential for over 15% of aircraft. Flight tests are planned at other airfields in the Paris region.
– Daher: the Toussus-le-Noble airfield will be the site of a test center for the technological building blocks of the electric-propulsion aircraft.

Augustin de Romanet, CEO of Groupe ADP: “With these six leaders in innovation and decarbonization, new modes of propulsion are already a reality. In this alliance, the only one of its kind in the world, for carbon-free regional aviation in the Paris region, the Groupe ADP intends to play its full role as booster and integrator of new aircraft at its airports and for the sector as a whole. Without appropriate infrastructures connected to the entire airport ecosystem, these new aircraft would not be able to integrate into the landscape of our Paris Region hubs, whose decarbonization is expected by all: our passenger customers and all our stakeholders.”

Gabriel Massey, president and managing director of Pipistrel: “Pipistrel is the global leader in electric aviation and manufacturer of the world’s first type-certified electric aircraft in commercial service, the Velis Electro. The Velis Electro is a two-seater light sport aircraft, primarily used by flight schools for pilot training. The aircraft reduces training costs and is making a real-world impact on the environment, including reducing noise pollution in the surrounding areas of the flight schools in which it operates.”

Jean Botti, CEO of VoltAero: “We are proud to join forces with Groupe ADP and other leaders in carbon-free aviation, as we strive to accelerate the environmental transition of this vital sector. Together, we will leverage our collective expertise to drive the development and adoption of sustainable aviation technologies, creating a cleaner, greener future for generations to come. This partnership underscores the importance of our work at VoltAero which is providing innovative solutions such as the electric-hybrid and hydrogen-hybrid aircraft Cassio 330 that are essential for the general aviation and its ecosystem.”

Mark Cousin, CTO of Universal Hydrogen: “We are delighted with our close collaboration with the Groupe ADP, which is deeply involved in the implementation of the green aviation value chain. Together, Groupe ADP and Universal Hydrogen will study the integration of regional aircraft converted to fly utilizing our proprietary hydrogen fuel cell powertrain and leveraging our modular hydrogen logistics fuel services. Furthermore, this collaboration will quickly demonstrate how hydrogen management at airports can be straightforward and safe, and how it can be applied to equipment and products beyond aircraft.”

Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO of ZeroAvia: “When the operator of one of the world’s largest airports, as well as many important regional hubs for connectivity, start planning for delivering zero-emission flight using hydrogen, it is a clear signal that this change is coming. This should be one of the clear indications from Paris Air Show that progress is being made to enable the solutions that will tackle aviation’s climate impact.”

Eloa Guillotin, Founder & CEO of Beyond Aero: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to study the feasibility of operating our hydrogen-electric business aircraft in airports managed by Groupe ADP. The utilization of hydrogen as a clean and renewable energy source holds immense potential in reducing the aviation industry’s carbon footprint and fostering environmental sustainability. We strongly believe in Groupe ADP’s ability to play a crucial role in adopting innovative technologies. Together, we aim to identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and propose tangible solutions for efficient hydrogen utilization in airports.”

Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice-président Aircraft of Daher: “This initiative by the Groupe ADP is in line with the arrival of the hybrid aircraft in 2027, which will thus be able to benefit from adapted infrastructures. In the short term, we are working with the  Groupe ADP to make biofuel (SAF) available on the Toussus-le-Noble airfield so that our based customers can benefit from it.”

Source: Groupe ADP Press Release
Photo Credit: Groupe ADP