“We have an analogue airspace in a digital age designed nearer a time Yuri Gagarin reached for the stars. The moment for change is now.”
The UK airspace infrastructure, originally developed in the 1950s, has become outdated as the industry’s challenges, technological needs, and goals have evolved significantly. Combatting this, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched its plan for modernising UK airspace by 2040.
The ‘Airspace Modernisation Strategy, Part 3: Deployment Plan’ sets out a vision for how airspace will change over the coming seven years and serves as a benchmark for measuring the industry’s progress and alignment with the UK CAA’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy. Released in January 2023, the strategy laid out “a vision for the future of UK airspace to deliver quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys.”
With tech evolving rapidly, the industry scaling up, emerging players like drones and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft joining, and sustainability targets looming, the UK CAA is laying the foundations for an extensive overhaul of the UK’s aviation infrastructure. Addressing this ongoing transformation, Aviation Minister Mike Kane said:
“The world of aviation is undergoing a technological revolution and it’s crucial our airspace evolves alongside this. The Civil Aviation Authority’s plan to modernise our airspace will help ease delays, support efforts to decarbonise and reduce noise. Through continued collaboration with industry, this plan will ensure these innovations are safely and effectively integrated into our skies.”
Rob Bishton, Chief Executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, added:
“Overhauling our airspace is a long-term and complex endeavour, requiring concerted efforts and collaboration from the aerospace industry. It is key to enabling new and innovative technologies to thrive in UK aerospace. […] It not only outlines our strategic priorities, but also is a blueprint for industry to engage and contribute towards the vision of a modernised airspace for the UK.”
Described as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to modernise UK airspace, the plan must pave a way for a more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced future.
At Aerospace Tech Week Europe, Stephen Snyder, Managing Director, JetBlue Ventures joined for a five-minute discussion into the current innovation landscape. Snyder described the space as dynamic, with capital readily available and continued excitement around artificial intelligence (AI). Highlighting the technology’s current position in the trough of disillusionment, Snyder explained why this is an exciting point in the hype cycle for an investor, where applications shift from theoretical to practical and investors can advocate for their future.
Looking ahead, Snyder predicted sustainability-based technologies will be dominating the market 5-10 years into the future, with eVTOL aircraft, hydrogen propulsion, and hybrid electric tech poised to support the industry’s transition to net zero.
Discussing innovation in this safety critical sector, Snyder reiterated that while there is no margin for error, “we also cannot stall when it comes to innovation.” He urged that we must shift the mindset around safety and innovation from “either, or” to “both, and.”
Watch the full interview now.
Questions asked include:
How would you characterise the current innovation landscape with regards to Aerospace?
If we think 5-10 years into the future, what technologies will still be dominating the market?
How do you strike a balance between the importance of safety & security and the need for innovation?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising every industry and aviation is no exception. Its transformative power already spans a multitude of applications and more doors are opening as the technology develops. However, its rapid integration into this safety critical sector requires a measured approach, facilitated by expert understanding of technology and the industry.
EUROCAE, the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment, plays a pivotal role in advancing the aviation industry through its range of standards. The non-profit organisation brings together manufacturers, operators, regulators, and other aviation stakeholders to develop and promote standards for aviation equipment and related systems. Taking a proactive approach to standardisation, EUROCAE is instrumental in ensuring the aviation industry can harness the benefits of AI without compromising safety and trustworthiness.
Watch below for five-minute insights from Anna von Groote, Director General, EUROCAE on the importance of standardisation as the industry navigates the role of AI.
Questions asked include:
Can you articulate the impact AI has had on the industry? And how have you noticed this change in recent years?
How do you tackle the issue of AI trustworthiness when thinking about safety within the industry?
With AI evolving at such a rapid pace, how do you approach its standardisation and do you anticipate having to change this approach if its applications within the industry continue to proliferate?
Aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) is on the brink of a transformation and AI is set to play a significant role in this evolution. From accelerating the industry’s digitisation to enabling predictive maintenance and cost savings, its potential is vast.
Recognising the need for rapid and continuous advancement in the MRO space, Lufthansa Technik Philippines (LTP) has launched the LTP Startup Challenge 2024 in collaboration with Seedstars. This initiative seeks to catalyse MRO related innovation through exploring the potential of cutting-edge AI technologies.
LTP, a joint venture company of Lufthansa Technik AG and MacroAsia Corporation, offers a wide range of MRO services to customers worldwide. Building on the success of their previous LTP Startup Challenge in 2022, this year’s initiative focuses more exclusively on AI.
Sharing more details about the challenge, LTP specified round one will focus on AI algorithms, machine learning, automation, and predictive analytics for optimising MRO operations, while round two looks for solutions designed to enhance aviation MRO operations and address significant challenges related to efficiency, particularly from a high attrition rate among mechanics, time-consuming manual processes in production and support departments.
Stefan Yordanov, VP Finance and Strategy and Corporate Projects at Lufthansa Technik Philippines said:
“This year, we are particularly excited to focus on AI-powered solutions that can revolutionize aviation MRO. We believe that the integration of AI will unlock unprecedented efficiency and help us deliver superior services to our customers.”
The LTP Startup Challenge 2024 highlights not only the critical importance of innovation within aircraft MRO, but also the essential role startups play in driving that innovation. Find out more about the challenge here.
For many years, the industry has been experimenting with automation. Enhancing safety, efficiency, and accuracy, automation is now a key aspect of modern aviation.
One project using artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate single-pilot operations is the Honeywell-led Digital Assistants for Reducing Workload & Increasing collaboration (DARWIN) project under the European Union’s SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking.
The project gathers together industry technology providers, aircraft OEMs, leading research institutes, air navigation service providers, and key European institutions and regulatory bodies to research a human-AI collaboration system, “defining clear roles and responsibilities.”
As technology develops, these systems are becoming increasingly advanced and although the vision is for AI and a single pilot to work together, it is clear that the human pilot will remain the ultimate decision-maker.
Jolana Dvorska, Senior Research & Development Manager and Architect for SESAR, Honeywell Aerospace explained the projects’ forward-looking mission:
“A need for higher autonomy requires digital transformation. For both, we need to build trust in AI-based solutions. DARWIN will develop a scalable human-AI collaboration concept that can gradually introduce new functions and pilot assistants, in line with the EASA AI Roadmap.”
At Aerospace Tech Week, 17-18th April, MOC – Event Center Messe Munchen, Munich, Jolana Dvorska will speaking on the SESAR DARWIN project. Talking through the development of scalable human-AI collaborative systems for advanced single-pilot operations. Book your ticket now to hear more.
According to McKinsey, intelligent computers are to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), what steam was to the first. Powered by disruptive technology, machine learning (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics, Industry 4.0 is characterised by the merging of the digital and physical worlds.
“A technology based on the concept of creating a virtual replica or representation of a physical object, process, or system. It is fed with real-time or historical data, then this data is analysed through machine learning algorithms to run simulations of different environments to understand how a system is going to behave, the results of this simulations are shown in dashboards, reports or visualization tools, and decisions can be made based on that information.”
The application of this technology at Rolls-Royce demonstrates its various benefits to the industry. Here’s how it works with engines:
Our Engineers create a Digital Twin of an engine, which is a precise virtual copy of the real-world product. They then install on-board sensors and satellite connectivity on the physical engine to collect data, which is continuously relayed back to its Digital Twin in real time. The twin then operates in the virtual world as the physical engine would on-wing and will determine how the engine is operating and predict when it may need maintenance. This also allows us to enact preventative engine maintenance, which can greatly reduce aircraft downtime and, in turn, enhance reliability.
Just some of the key benefits include:
Accuracy – The model accurately reflects the condition of using real-time data, continuously learning and updating itself to reflect the real-life operating conditions.
Reliability – Any problems are flagged earlier which minimises disruption.
Testing – Using the digital copy, a larger number of potential circumstances can be tested than with physical tests, allowing engineers to simulate extreme conditions to better understand behaviours. Can also predict how engines will be operated by different airlines in a range of geographic regions to better understand the engine’s performance across the course of its lifetime.
Endurance – Lengthens the time between services, increasing the engine’s time on wing, in some cases the TOW for critical parts has been extended by over 70 per cent.
Planning – Maintenance can be optimised and planned accurately with up-to-date knowledge of how the engine is performing and when it will need attention.
At ATW Europe, Adam Harris, Global Chief of Testing Facilities, Rolls Royce will be speaking on innovation and testing environment, unpacking advanced testing activities for sustainable aviation. Book your ticket now to avoid missing out!
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