Revolutionary innovations to make aviation greener

The aerospace industry is constantly evolving, with technological advances pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible just a few decades ago. The latest innovations in the sector are increasingly focused on cleaner flights, reducing the pollution generated by aircraft. As a company participating in aerospace exhibitions and events, we have noticed that ecology has become a central point of research. Companies are focusing their communication on innovations developed by linking them to lower energy consumption, on longer distances traveled...
However, the aerospace industry continues to be regularly pointed out as one of the most polluting sectors. Is this really the case? Should the aerospace industry shut down forever, for the good of the planet? Or at least strive to reduce its traffic?
We review some figures and data, with an overview of ongoing technological advances and the latest innovations.

Electric Planes: The Question of Range

How can we talk about ecological transition without mentioning electric engines? It’s the great revolution of the 21st century, described as the innovation that will bring the most significant reductions in CO2 emissions. But it’s not without its problems. Batteries are made from rare metals sourced from the extraction industry, and they are also difficult to recycle.
However, electric power represents an advance over thermal engines, at least in France, thanks to the share of nuclear energy, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to the use of fuel.
We already see the automotive sector transitioning to electric cars, rightly so, as an electric model represents 65% fewer CO2 emissions compared to its thermal counterpart.
As for planes, we are not yet at the stage where commercial aircraft refuel by plugging into an outlet, but we are getting there. Many companies are developing this technology and continuing research to extend flight range and reduce the weight of batteries, which still poses a problem.
Prototypes have already been flying for several years. Whether they are 100% electric, like the jet Eviation Alice, which made its first test flight in the United States in September 2022, or hybrid, like the Cassio 330 from the French manufacturer Voltaero, which was presented last June at the Le Bourget Airshow.
Even better, the Velis Electro from the Slovenian manufacturer Pipistrel is the first electric plane to be certified in Europe, since 2020. This small plane, however, has a low range, around 45 minutes of flight. For this reason, it is mainly used for pilot training.
But the momentum of manufacturers involved in electric research will undoubtedly soon yield advances. Larger aircraft, for passenger transport over several hundred kilometers, are being studied, notably by American Wright Electric or by Airbus in Europe.

Flying Taxis: They’re Coming for the Olympics

Autonomous flying taxis are also becoming a reality, offering a revolutionary urban transport solution. However, this is not for tomorrow morning, as there are still various obstacles to overcome, whether technological, regulatory, or societal. But deadlines around 2030 are being announced by several pioneering manufacturers.
What is a VTOL? In simple terms – and in English – the acronym stands for Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft. Imagine a mix between a helicopter and a drone, capable of transporting one or two people and operating in an urban environment, electric of course, and without a pilot.
Science fiction? Not for the pioneering companies, with a few dozen worldwide embarking on the development of these futuristic machines. In the United States, Uber, and start-ups funded by Google CEO Larry Page are in the race. But Europe is also making strides with ongoing projects from Airbus, Rolls-Royce, or the German company Volocopter.
The issues of infrastructure and integration into air traffic also need to be resolved. The flying taxi will require the installation of small takeoff and landing pads, known as "vertiports," which must be adaptable even in urban contexts if these airborne taxis are to find true utility. The problem of noise pollution also needs to be solved to ensure the acceptability of this new traffic adding to urban congestion.
France is well positioned in this innovation race: thanks to a partnership, including Paris Airports and RATP, the very first vertiport in Europe was inaugurated in November 2022 at the Pontoise airfield. Real-life tests are already underway, and the first experimental commercial routes are expected during the 2024 Olympic Games.

Materials: The Rise of Composites

Lighter, stronger, and more durable materials play a crucial role in the future of aviation and also present a real challenge for the aerospace industry. Research is making significant progress in replacing the metal materials traditionally used in aircraft structures.
This is where composite materials come in. They consist of a reinforcing fiber, made of carbon or glass, and an "organic matrix" based on polymers, which acts as glue to hold the fibers together and protect them.
These materials offer many advantages. They are both more rigid and more specialized, thanks to the range of choices in components and chemical processes that allow them to be adapted to each use, creating more integrated structures or better-tailored designs. Depending on their placement on the aircraft, the type of aircraft, the climates they need to operate or park in, care will be taken to ensure they are more resistant to specific temperatures, humidity levels, proximity to engines, contact with fuel, fire, lightning strikes, or hail...
They also have much better durability, being more resistant to fatigue and corrosion. These are important assets for reducing maintenance needs.
New material technologies are thus allowing fine adaptation to the constraints and design of each aircraft component.
Research is continuously progressing to improve the performance of these new materials, which also need to be designed for better recycling at the end of the aircraft's life.
The example of the small French two-seater Elixir Aircraft is very telling: entirely made of carbon fiber, it is built using a technology called "one shot," where each part of the aircraft – wing, fuselage, canopy frame, etc. – is made of a single piece, without assembly. Its manufacturing, like its maintenance, is made much simpler since mechanical assemblies with riveting, screwing, or gluing are reduced to a minimum. Its weight is also lighter, which results in fuel savings and, thus, an ecological gain.

Propulsion: From Open Fans to Hydrogen

Propulsion is a key area of aerospace innovation. In this field as well, progress is being made to make engines more efficient. Advances have mainly focused on the development of large turbofan engines with very high bypass ratios (UHBR) and improving the integration of advanced propulsion systems on aircraft.
The latest technologies are developing engines whose rotors are no longer cased, with open-air propellers larger than those on conventional engines. The absence of casing allows for an increase in the bypass ratio and improves the efficiency of the propulsion system. These future engines could bring about a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by about 20%.
At the same time, manufacturers like Airbus are gradually advancing in the development of hydrogen engines, which promise completely carbon-free propulsion during operation. However, this is not expected until 2035.

Your Small-Scale Impact

While we wait for these small and large revolutions to come into effect, it is important to remain aware that aviation, in its current form, is a significant emitter of CO2. It is up to each person to decide how they position themselves regarding this issue, but if you want to try to act on a small scale by reducing your carbon footprint, one measure to take is to use a fuel tester: this small, easy-to-use device ensures that you fly with clean fuel, thus avoiding unnecessary fuel consumption.
Another accessory, admittedly with a more limited scope: you can also equip yourself with reusable cleaning cloths for aircraft: a small gesture that prevents the waste of paper towels and the unnecessary production of waste so abundant in our disposable society.

In conclusion, we can say that the aerospace industry, as we have seen, is engaged in an impressive race for innovation to fundamentally transform the way we travel by air and make aviation acceptable and compatible with climate imperatives. From electric planes to autonomous flying taxis, through advanced materials and innovative propulsion systems, we hope that these many advances will continue to fulfill our childhood dreams and our adult passions for flight, shaping the future of air transport.