The Aerospace Technology Institute has launched FlyZero, a new project to help UK aerospace develop a zero-carbon emission aircraft by 2030.
Backed by the UK government’s department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the FlyZero programme will pull together expertise from across the UK supply chain and universities in an initial 12-month programme to look at the design challenges and market opportunity of potential zero-emission aircraft concepts.
The FlyZero vision is for the UK to realise zero-carbon emission commercial flight by the end of the decade.
Areas covered by the strategic research project include determining the technical and commercial viability of a future zero-carbon emission aircraft design; technology and industrialization roadmaps; and assessments of the sustainability issues, the UK industrial capability, and the market and economics aspects.
Led by the ATI, FlyZero will utilize the expertise of around 100 secondees from industry and academia.
The ATI will be launching an open application process for the seconded personnel, with the selection process to be overseen by the ATI and BEIS.
Gary Elliott, chief executive of the Aerospace Technology Institute, said,“The UK has committed to net-zero by 2050 and presently aviation is unable to access the aircraft and technology needed to deliver on this national target. The new breed of zero-emission aircraft will call for entirely new industrial capabilities; the supply chain is yet to be established and that will be a major focus for FlyZero. There are big questions to answer, and the first step on this path is to develop a thorough understanding of the technological and commercial issues.”
