3/31/2021 0 Comments E Fan X Airbus
The new reality is that the E-Fan X project has been scrapped.Rolls-Royce and Airbus pulled the plug on the joint development effort late last week.As an aircraft, E-Fan X was always designed to be a demonstrator only and never for actual use as a product in service.
![]() Realizing the decarbonization of flight is no small feat, says Vittadini, requiring Airbus to re-focus all of our efforts on technology bricks that will take us there. An on-board power generation system and battery pack would deliver the fuel for the motor, allowing the aircraft to operate normally, though with lower emissions. In announcing the program termination Chief Technology Officer Paul Stein was optimistic of that future potential, Our power generation system can and will be integrated into any future aircraft that is developed requiring a hybrid-electric propulsion system, including a comprehensive flight-test programme to ensure that all industry safety requirements are met. That no such development program is on the books matters little, perhaps, with the promise being made that it will work just fine if needed. It will be an expensive proposition, one that requires massive support from all sectors of the aviation industry, as well as governments. That support existed in small pockets, often reluctantly granted, until the beginning of this year. The incremental cost to the new sustainable fuels was vaguely tolerated, for example, but only in small quantities while awaiting larger production volumes and the associated reduction in unit costs. But companies were willing to invest in that production capacity. This is a short-term effect, at least right now, but delivering long-term implications. The incremental spend to reduce emissions is now dramatically larger. And it comes against the backdrop of drastically reduced revenues for the airlines. Airlines that were once keen to show their commitment to the environment through such spending have new priorities now. Other airlines dont have that broad a range of aircraft to ground or retire. Nor do they have the funds to buy new, more efficient models. Among them, she described the development of New pathways for disruptive CO2 reduction including inquiry into new technology pathways. Hydrogen being one of them, which is equal parts a huge opportunity as it is a new challenge. Hydrogen promises a higher energy density, perhaps as much as 10x greater in the near term. But seeing two industry leaders bail out on such a highly visible program at this point is hard to see as a positive, regardless of the spin applied. It helps keep me independent and avoiding the credit card schlock. With a strong focus on passenger experience, Seth also has deep knowledge of inflight connectivity and loyalty programs. He is widely respected as an unbiased commentator on the aviation industry.
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