Rural Development: Flying Straight Up!

AUTHOR: David Jarrett Editor@ RDJ Publishing and RDJ Group ChiefExecutiveOfficer

Watching sci-fi movies makes our current realities seem like movies are lifelike and overtaking our imaginations. However, our imagination is exactly what others have used to create the reality such as has been developed by the likes of Lilium (www lilium com) who have developed an all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet, designed to offer leading capacity, low noise, and high performance with zero operating emissions.

Electric propulsion as the main source of power for aviation is not novel with electric motors having been invented in the 1830’s but has shown great promise in recent times Focus is currently on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Urban Air Mobility (UAM) platforms, other small passenger and cargo aircraft With a push on the need for sustainable development and transport systems, the use of alternative fuel for transport such as air travel is a much-welcomed development.

From another angle, Airbus (www airbus com) who also have an all-electric propulsion vehicle, has put forward a hybrid approach that allows decarbonization through reduction of the overall carbon energy levels of operation giving “low-carbon flight. Breaking down the phases of flight, their approach uses electrical sources to provide full or partial power for taxiing out to the take-off runway, take-off, descent and taxiing into the gates, this provides as they call it, optimisation of efficiency

In Africa, moves are progressing towards electric aviation that is motivated not only by climate change mitigation but also by operational cost saving benefits. In East Africa, Safarilink and Yellow Wings Air Services, are looking to convert existing aircraft to hybrid and allelectric aircrafts that could give it a potential cost saving of up to 50 percent on operational costs This is to be complemented with new aircraft that would be welcome news not only for the operators and the industry, but also for the pricing seen by customers.

An added benefit that could accrue is the creation of new short haul flights especially in areas that if fossil fuels are used, refuelling could have been a logistical issue Studies by others show from a case study, that connectivity in Southern Africa would increase productivity and is “a real possibility”.

One immediate benefit of this change would ease of access to other centres, providing for health professionals, reduction on the need for rural urban migration and many more such benefits However, make no mistake, several other changes in the way airport operations are conducted in the respective countries need to take place so that rural commuters get the benefits that electric aviation could contribute to improvingandalsofast-trackingdevelopment.

Such changes would include, availability of appropriate aircraft, willing operators of both aircraft (airlines) and airports (aerodromes), energy for re-charging and realistic but firm regulations and policies Training of aviation personnel will also be an element, not only from a piloting approach but also from the angle of facility managementandcommunityengagementtoincrease acceptance and utilisation These can be driven by government in collaboration with the likes of the ICAO etc as well as to attract early-stage investors in joint action

As always, the conversation continues esa@rdjpublishishing africa

Readings: www lilium com https://www.airbus.com/en/innovation/low-carbonaviation/hybrid-and-electric-flight NACO Report e-flight in Africa - Sept 2022 pdf https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2024-0104/african-airlines-commit-surf-airs-electric-caravan https://aerospace honeywell com/us/en/about-us/blogs/electricaircraft-propulsion-how-it-works www.rdjpublishing.africa