Meet the experts at the forefront of advancing aviation’s journey to Destination Zero in a new programme from ITN Business featuring the ATI alongside Airlines UK, Airports UK and IATA released this World Sustainable Transport Day, 26^th November.

Jackie Castle, Chief Technology Officer and Sophie Lane, Chief Relationships Officer talked to presenter Sharon Thomas about the vital role technology will play in achieving Net Zero in aviation, and how the ATI is supporting the UK aerospace sector in this shared mission.

Advancing Aviation explores the importance of the aviation and aerospace sector in our daily lives and the impact it has on the UK economy. Expert contributors share what the sector is doing to meet sustainability and Net Zero commitments and to encourage the next generation of innovators into aerospace and aviation careers.

Hear from Jackie on the ultra-efficient, cross-cutting and zero-carbon technologies being developed with funding through ATI Programme including how the UK strengths in engines and wings will be crucial to unlocking a new generation of more sustainable aircraft.

Jackie said: “We have lots of reasons to be excited because the UK is a global leader in two areas which are absolutely critical to the development of new aircraft that are more efficient and that’s wing design and engine manufacturer.”

Sophie discusses the crucial role the ATI plays at the cross section of aerospace, government, academia and aviation in aligning strategic direction to maximise UK market share on next generation single aisle aircraft.

Sophie said: “The Aerospace Technology Institute sits at a really important point so we are independent but we work with academia, with industry and with government to provide a Technology Strategy that helps industry to make decisions, to provide a funding programme to help to advance that technology development and also to provide wider support to the ecosystem.”

The programme features organisations that are at the forefront of the aviation and aerospace sector developing new technology, inspiring the next generation and addressing sustainability. The programme focuses on four key themes:

• Innovation and technology
• UK economic impact
• Sustainability
• People

Advancing Aviation features key industry and news-style reports along with sponsored editorial profiles and premiered at an Aviation Carbon event on World Sustainable Transport Day, Tuesday 26^th November.

Watch the full programme on demand here.

The ATI Programme is delivered in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade and Innovate UK, discover more.

Transcript

Sharon: Designing new aircraft technology relies on partnerships to foster innovation and support growth. To discuss what the future of aerospace looks like I’m joined now by Jackie Castle and Sophie Lane from the Aerospace Technology Institute.

First of all Jackie if I could turn to you, how is innovation really helping to drive the aerospace industry forward?

Jackie: Well technology and innovation is absolutely essential to reduce carbon emissions and to hit the sector’s Net Zero 2050 goals that they’ve committed to. The types of technology that we’re looking at are to increase the efficiencies of the aircraft again and also to look at different fuels. There are probably three areas that we are really focused on those are those efficiencies as I said to use less fuel which directly impacts the reduction of emissions itself, also to look at revolutionary propulsion system technologies such as hydrogen or battery electric. And then we’re also looking at advanced manufacturing techniques in order to further optimise the structural design of the aircraft.

Sharon: And Sophie how is the ATI really encouraging growth?

Sophie: The Aerospace Technology Institute sits at a really important point so we are independent but we work with academia, with industry and with government to provide a Technology Strategy that helps industry to make decisions, to provide a funding programme to help to advance that technology development and also to provide wider support to the ecosystem.

So we are looking at a market that is potentially worth £4.3 trillion between now and 2050 so there’s an enormous opportunity for UK industry and the way that we work in partnership with them is to look at those competitive areas and those areas of disruptive new technology where we believe that we can drive inward investment, drive market growth and also allow us to achieve better return on investment in the future.

Sharon: And Jackie in terms of new technology that’s in development now what are you most excited about?

Jackie: Well we have lots of reasons to be excited because the UK is a global leader in two areas which are absolutely critical to the development of new aircraft that are more efficient and that’s wing design and engine manufacturer. So Airbus have an exciting programme that we fund called the Wing of Tomorrow and that’s looking at developing new highly aerodynamic wings that are longer, leaner, with a higher aspect ratio and potentially folding wing tips. Rolls-Royce are developing their new ultra-high bypass ratio engine, it’s much larger and it delivers a 10% improvement on engines are there currently in service.

And there are many other technologies and some of those are related to new fuels such as hydrogen which would mean there are no carbon dioxide emissions and GKN Aerospace are developing a hydrogen fuel cell technology which with its cryogenic electrical network as well will produce a much more efficient system. So we’re looking at those technologies to be developed and come through for the future.

Sharon: You touched on it there but clearly sustainability a huge focus of attention in your sector, what else are you doing to really drive towards that goal?

Jackie: Well the Aerospace Technology Institute really collaborates with the entire sector and brings people together. There are many smaller smaller companies, SMEs that are also bringing exciting technologies to forefront, many of these will help with the advanced manufacturing that we want for the UK to remain competitive.

Sharon: And Sophie what we all want to know is what are the aircraft of the future going to look like?

Jackie: So the aircraft of the future are going to look quite different. Potentially you could be flying on an ultra efficient aircraft that maybe is burning SAF, it’s got longer wings it has wing tips that fold up so that you can get into the stand at the airport they’re going to be quieter. If you’re flying on zero-carbon aircraft in the short term they’re going to be smaller more regional flights but they have the potential to scale the technology and grow.

And I think the most exciting thing for me is how strong the UK industry is and what a great opportunity we have to get on to the next generation of aircraft to be able to really maximise the market opportunity which we estimate is somewhere in the region of £4.3 trillion between now and 2050. So there’s a lot to go after there’s a lot of technology development and ultimately we think there’s a great opportunity for the UK industry.

Sharon: Lots to look forward to Sophie, Jackie thanks so much for joining us, thank you