GKN Aerospace-led Skybus project to add ‘new dimension’ to electric aircraft sector

UK. The Skybus research project led by the UK’s GKN Aerospace which is exploring the potential for a 30-person all-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air ‘bus’ concept has reached a key milestone after the completion of initial feasibility studies.

The studies have identified significant opportunities for this potential eVTOL aircraft to operate alongside air taxis in future air mobility transport networks, and play a major role in decarbonising and decongesting urban landscapes.

The Skybus consortium has also developed a Thames-based vertiport concept – the infrastructure which would host eVTOL aircraft – as well as economic models and demand forecasts for a London-based intra-city use case, with further analyses now to be carried out.

The environmentally-friendly 30-seat air bus would add a significant new dimension to the growing urban mobility industry, as it continues its march towards commercialisation (Image created by Pascal+Watson)

“Our market studies show a real potential for a substantial distributed aviation system using the types of aircraft concept envisaged by the Skybus consortium” – UK Research and Innovation Future Flight Challenge Director Gary Cutts

Alongside GKN Aerospace, the other partners in the Skybus project are Swanson Aviation Consultancy, Pascall+Watson and Connected Places Catapult.

The project was launched in January 2021 after receiving funding from the UK government’s Future Flight Challenge in order to explore the feasibility for mass transit eVTOLs of this size to operate from vertiports on scheduled journeys in the future, akin to a bus network on today’s roads.

These would operate alongside air taxis to help bypass road congestion in major cities – reducing travel time and emissions – and potentially improve access to more remote areas, such as islands and mountainous regions.

GKN Aerospace observed that a successful zero emissions mass transit system in the air would also ease congestion on the road network, reducing overall travel time, cost and emissions for all travellers.

The UK government’s Future Flight Challenge is investing up to £125 million (US$167.3 million) to develop greener ways to fly, such as all-electric aircraft and deliveries by drone, by advancing electric and autonomous flight technologies. The investment is matched by £175 million (US$234.2 million) from industry.

UK Research and Innovation Future Flight Challenge Director Gary Cutts said: “The Future Flight Challenge has always taken a broad view of the opportunities provided by the many different types of novel clean aircraft emerging.

“Our market studies show a real potential for a substantial distributed aviation system using the types of aircraft concept envisaged by the Skybus consortium and we welcome the system-wide insights gained from their feasibility studies.”

GKN Aerospace CTO Russ Dunn said: “We are committed to a more sustainable future for aviation and we believe there is no single solution to achieve this. It will take a range of technologies and collaboration across the whole industry to achieve our net zero goal.

“Skybus is a great example of GKN Aerospace’s ambition to work in partnership to inspire our customers into new markets, products and technologies.”

Note: To subscribe free of charge to our new newsletter focusing on the eVTOL and urban air mobility industry, please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com headed ‘Urban Air Mobility Newsletter’.

All stories will be permanently archived on the Urban Air Mobility dedicated page of our website.

For sponsorship and content opportunities, please email Mark@MoodieDavittReport.com.

Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine