Heart Aerospace Completes Ground Support Procedure Tests for Electric Aircraft
Swedish hybrid-electric airplane manufacturer Heart Aerospace, in collaboration with airlines Braathens Regional Airlines, SAS, and airport operator Swedavia completes ground support procedure tests for electric airplane in a push to bring more eco-friendly air travel closer to reality.
The tests were conducted as part of the Swedish research project ELISE, which brings together technology companies with airlines and airports to foster the development of electric aviation infrastructure in Sweden. This phase of the ELISE project focused on creating a full-scale demonstrator of Heart’s regional ES-30 airplane for the testing of ground handling procedures.
“Commercial customers are eager to reduce operational costs and decarbonize their fleets, but they face a set of complex challenges, such as which plug standard to install and how to bring megawatts of power to remote facilities. We are working closely with industry advisors through the ELISE project to ensure we meet these specific needs. By collaborating with experts, we aim to create an infrastructure tailored for electric aircraft and the airport,” says Simon Reinberth, Airport Infrastructure Manager at Heart Aerospace.
Funded by the Swedish innovation agency Vinnova, the third step of the ELISE project is driving rapid technological advancement and innovation, crucial for reducing the environmental and climate impact of aviation.
“As one of the leaders in the aviation industry’s move toward lower greenhouse gas emissions, we believe that partnerships like the Elise program are key to speeding up the development of the advanced technologies required to meet the industry’s net-zero targets. By collaborating with like-minded stakeholders who share their knowledge and expertise, sharing the results with the rest of the industry, we are confident that our commitment will play a significant role in bringing hybrid-electric and fully electric aircraft technologies to market more quickly,” says Lars Resare, Chief Sustainability Officer at Braathens Regional Airlines.
“SAS is playing a key role in driving the aviation industry´s transformation. We believe collaboration is key to unlocking innovative solutions and through the ELISE program, SAS is gaining valuable insights into electric aviation. This keeps us stay ahead of market trends and helps us shape the future of electric aircraft. This initiative also allows us to involve our employees and customers, increasing awareness of the latest aircraft technologies”, says Ann-Sofie Hörlin, Head of Sustainability at SAS.
The ground support procedures tested at Säve Airport in Gothenburg included:
- Verification and Testing of the Charging Procedure: Ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the electric aircraft charging process.
- Evaluation of Charging Routines: Optimizing charging routines to enhance operational efficiency.
- Onboarding and Offboarding Procedures: Streamlining the processes for passengers and cargo specifically for electric aircraft.
- Ground Support Experience and Maintenance Routines: Training ground support personnel to ensure seamless operations.
“It is very gratifying that Swedavia through the ELISE project can contribute with our broad collective knowledge and competence regarding battery-powered electric aviation and its infrastructural and operational consequences on airports. Electric aircraft could play an important role for regional flights and thus provide more accessibility in our sparsely populated country. As a world leader in operating airports with the least possible environmental impact, we continue to be an active partner in aviation’s necessary climate change transition by developing and enabling the future of fossil free aviation, from battery electric aircrafts to hydrogen aircrafts, and of the use of SAF in aviation”, says John Nilsson, senior strategist responsible for electric and hydrogen aircraft at Swedavia.
Sweden has a strong aviation industry and a transport infrastructure that depends on air travel and the successful completion of these ground testing procedures brings the vision of eco-friendly air travel in the country closer to reality.
This milestone reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire ELISE consortium which also includes Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt, and an advisory board consisting of Sweden’s Regional Airports (SRF), Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), Bromma Air Maintenance (BAM), Swedish Civil Aviation Administration (LFV), Swedish Transport Agency (TS), and Swedish Transport Administration (TrV).
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