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?
Yesterday, results from the world’s first in-flight study looking at the impact of using 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on both engines of a commercial aircraft were shared. Here’s what was found.
“Using SAF in flight could significantly reduce the climate impact of aviation in the short term by reducing non-CO2 effects such as contrails, in addition to reducing CO2 emissions over the lifecycle of SAF.”
The study looked at emissions produced by both engines of an Airbus A350 powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines and had a DLR chase plane follow the aircraft to collect data on soot particles and contrail ice crystals. The soot emitted by aircraft engines helps to form contrails that evolve into cirrus clouds which often have an overall warming effect. Previous research has already shown that non-CO2 effects, like contrails, could account for a large proportion of the industry’s environmental impact.
The ground breaking ECLIF3 study, conducted by Airbus, Rolls-Royce, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), and SAF producer Neste has reported its findings in the Copernicus journal Atmospheric Chemistry & Physics (ACP) as part of a peer-reviewed scientific process. The test provides the “first in-situ evidence of the climate impact mitigation potential of using pure, 100 per cent SAF on a commercial aircraft.”
Results showed 100 per cent SAF had a 56 per cent reduction in contrail ice crystals compared to Jet A-1 fuel in an Airbus A350. The global climate model simulations by DLR looking at radiative forcing also estimated a 26 per cent reduction of the impact of the contrails compared to the Jet A-1 reference fuel.
Mark Bentall, head of Research & Technology Programme, Airbus, said:
“We already knew that sustainable aviation fuels could reduce the carbon footprint of aviation. Thanks to ECLIF studies, we now know that SAF can also reduce soot emissions and ice particulate formation that we see as contrails. This is a very encouraging result, based on science, which shows just how crucial sustainable aviation fuels are for decarbonising air transport”.
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.
The electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) market is estimated to be worth $1 trillion by 2030.
While these aircraft are currently in various stages of development, one of the front runners is Joby Aviation, which plans to start commercial operations in 2025. As the California-based transportation company continues its journey to a fully operational fleet, it has selected IFS Cloud for Aviation Maintenance solution for its eVTOL aircraft maintenance processes.
Capable of supporting Joby’s expansion plans, IFS Cloud for Aviation Maintenance is set to provide an advanced end-to-end maintenance software solution for its eVTOL aircraft across key areas including engineering, records management, operations, and planning. This will help to ensure the “safety and efficiency” of the aircraft and has the flexibility to cater to Joby’s rapidly evolving circumstances.
Matthew Lykins, Aircraft Maintenance Lead, Joby Aviation said:
“At Joby, we are at the forefront of revolutionizing travel with our eVTOL aircraft. Ensuring the seamless operation and maintenance of these aircraft throughout their lifecycle requires an equally innovative software solution. That’s why we have chosen IFS as our trusted partner. The IFS solution offers a robust software foundation that can evolve and adapt to meet our growing needs, from the initial testing and regulatory approval phases to the full-scale operations of Joby aircraft.”
At ATW Europe, Robert Mather, Vice President – Aerospace & Defence Industries, IFS will be exploring the practical applications of AI in aviation maintenance.
Additionally, Advanced Air Mobility will be explored across the event, with Balkiz Sarihan, CEO & Head of UAM, Airbus speaking on paving the way of new means of transportation and Andreas Perotti, CMO Europe, EHang discussing “Developing, certifying, and pushing the boundaries of unmanned eVTOLs.”
Earlier last week, Rolls-Royce announced it has successfully commenced the flight test campaign for the Pearl 10X. This signals the company’s growing focus in the business aviation market and is expected enable ultra-long range connections, whilst being close to travelling to the speed of sound.
Already, the engine has surpassed target thrust levels which makes it the most powerful business aviation engine in the Rolls-Royce portfolio.
In what will be a “market-leading combination of power and efficiency,” the engine is also built with environmental standards in mind featuring an ultra-low emissions ALM combustor, compatible with 100 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Philipp Zeller, Senior Vice President Dassault, Business Aviation, Rolls-Royce, said:
“We are excited to enter into this important next phase of the engine development programme with the start of our flight test campaign. All the tests complete to date confirm the reliability of the engine and show it will meet the performance requirements to power Dassault’s flagship, the Falcon 10X.”
By last week, the programme had already hit over 2,300 testing hours and in the coming months pilots and flight test engineers will ascertain its performance at varying speeds and altitudes.
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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