The way people fly could be about to change forever and Norfolk is playing a part in the revolution. We spoke to the boss of a major Norfolk aviation firm to find out more.
People in Norfolk could be flying in state-of-the-art and environmentally-friendly electric aircraft within just a few months.
That is the verdict of the boss of one of Norfolk’s biggest aviation firms as he spelt out his predictions for what he described as the next ‘golden age of aviation’.
Alex Durand, chief executive of Norwich Airport-based SaxonAir, says the firm is currently working on several projects to try and harness the potential of electricity-powered aircraft and make flying more sustainable.
The firm has leased a two-seated Pipistrel Velis Electro, which is the UK’s first certified electric aircraft, with the aim of offering pleasure flights to the public from its base within the next few months. Members of the public would pay to be amongst the first in the world to be a passenger in an electric aircraft.
SaxonAir, which employs around 100 people at its Klyne Aviation Business Centre base, is also working alongside the plane’s owners, Bungay-based firm NEBOair, on a vision to open up a network of solar-powered charging points at 13 airfields along the east of the country, with the aim being that passengers could fly from one to the next.
If that were to go ahead it would represent one of the first tailored routes specifically for electric aircraft in the world. While passenger numbers would start small, Mr Durand believes it is only a matter of time before this mode of travel becomes bigger and more widely used.
He said: “I think we are about to enter a new golden age of aviation and electric aircraft is a big part of that.
“We are looking at the very real possibility of a network of electrified airfields being rolled out by the end of the year. It’s incredibly exciting to think what that could lead to next.
“Meanwhile, we’re ready to go with pleasure flights in an electric aircraft and we really can’t wait to showcase that to the people of Norfolk.”
His prediction comes at a time when the world’s aviation industry is investing heavily in trying to find ways to cut carbon emissions following years of criticism for the damage flying is widely perceived to be causing the environment.
In the UK, the government announced in February, £113m of investment to help new technologies that could enable electric aircraft, as well as hydrogen-fuelled jet engines, to ‘open up a future of guilt-free flying’.
This led to predictions from some that driverless cars and electric flying taxis could soon be the norm.
And although Mr Durand believes that sort of technology is a way off becoming widely used, he predicts it won’t be long before people can enjoy a very different flying experience.
He added: “At the moment the first thing we are looking at is using electric aircraft for training, pleasure flyers and experiences. You could turn up here, be taken out for lunch somewhere in an electric aircraft and then come back.
“I think some of the other technology, like flying cars or pilotless aircraft are still some way off becoming the norm, but no doubt they will eventually.”
SaxonAir operates charter flights to and from destinations all over the world. Its base is also the arrivals and departures location for off-shore workers and operates as a business park.
Mr Durand says the firm has long been a champion of environmentally-friendly practices and that the aviation industry has an unfair reputation for being worse for the environment than other, more regularly used, methods of transport.
SaxonAir claims to mitigate its impact on the environment through a range of measures, such as carbon offsetting, an environmental levy for every passenger and carbon budgets for every department.
It has also begun to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel, produced using renewable feedstocks such as waste oils and agricultural residues and regarded as much more environmentally friendly.
Mr Durand said: “SaxonAir and the industry as a whole set the path to year zero many years ago and we are still on track for that.
“Of course sustainability is everywhere, it’s about being dynamic and looking at how we can apply that to aviation.
“We are seeing the changes now. This year you’ll have electric aircraft that you didn’t see a year ago, we’re launching flight training them too, the greenest training that’s ever been possible and the next 12 months will bring even more big changes.”
Last year, SaxonAir offered young people aged 16-25 the chance to build the world’s first collaborative electric aircraft at a free aviation summer school, in partnership with NUNCATS, the International Aviation Academy Norwich, Action Community Enterprises, East Coast College and Vattenfall.
In 2023 it plans to introduce an electric charging point at its base, powered by solar panels on the roof, for electric aircraft to use.
Mr Durand also predicts major developments in the way drones are deployed and says it is his ambition for SaxonAir’s base to become a hub for drone charging, maintenance and operational control.
He explained: “I think drones will be used so much than they currently are. They’ll be used more for surveying, searches and as the go to alternative to a helicopter. For instance, you’ll see them used lots more by the police as an alternative to helicopters, it’s so much cheaper and the technology is very good.”
Despite the government’s recent cash pledges, Mr Durand called for more investment into research and development and a clear strategy for what transport and connectivity looks like in 25 years.
He added: “As an industry, we [aviation] are still trying to recover from covid, the biggest crisis we’ve ever faced. We now need a supportive environment, in terms of the public and government, which is a big problem because so many people are just anti-aviation.
“However, over the next few years, I think we’ll see some real differences and we can get people really excited about flying again.”
A Norfolk opportunity?
Mr Durand believes that Norfolk has the potential to be a pioneer in the world of electric aviation – however, it would need the backing of key organisations within the county.
He drew comparisons with the Spaceport project in Cornwall and the work already going on around emissions-free aviation at Cranfield University, as examples of where progress has been made due to a collaborative approach involving local councils, the business community and researchers.
He highlighted the city’s Aviation Academy, strong Higher and Further Education facilities and the existence of forward-thinking businesses like Lotus and the Norwich Research Park, as well as the Eastern Powerhouse’s regional focus, as proof the potential to do something similar exists in this county.
He added: “Norfolk has a unique opportunity. This is an area that is really on the up, if you think of the energy sector and other areas. There’s a dynamic environment here and I think there’s a mindset that is open to possibilities.
“If you can get people to understand the vision and what it could look like I think it would be eagerly adopted. The next thing to do is engage with the likes of the councils, as I think this is something Norfolk could really attach itself to.
“We need a sort of Centre of Excellence approach where we can move quickly and roll out any changes needed in a nimble way.
“It just all fits. We have connectivity issues to solve, getting to the area is not easy and we have uncongested airspace.
“We also have some well-motivated and dynamic universities and colleges and young people with traditionally low aspirations. We need to sell them the dream of working in aviation. If it’s going to work anywhere it can work here.”
The race to electric
All over the world firms are working hard to find a way in which flights powered by electricity are not only possible – but commercially viable as well. In many ways it’s the 21st century’s equivalent to the ‘race for space’.
In Norfolk and Suffolk several small businesses, as well as SaxonAir, have emerged with their own ideas on how to best make use of the technology available. Here are some of them:
Nuncats – This Old Buckenham-based Community Interest Company (CIC) is in the process of developing the solar powered ‘electric sky jeep’ with the vision of providing cheap and sustainable transport to deliver supplies to teachers and doctors in remote parts of the world.
NEBOAir – Bungay-based NEBOAir owns the Velis Electro leased to SaxonAir in Norwich. It is behind the vision of a ‘spiderweb’ of electric charging points along the east of the country, which would allow electric aircraft to fly from one place to the next.
Swift Aircraft – Based at Scottow Enterprise Park, this company is behind the two-seater aircraft ‘The Swift’ which it soon hopes to have available for purchase. Numerous versions are being produced, including electric.
The Light Aircraft Company – Based at Little Snoring, they are the makers of first and only UK commercially designed and built electric aircraft, the single-seat Sherwood eKub.
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