The Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) held its first convention in five years at the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast from March 19th – 21st 2024, bringing together over 300 attendees from the industry to discuss sustainability and emerging technologies for aviation in Australia.
Mr Brendon Buckley, Assistant Secretary, Aviation White paper, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts representing the responsible Minister Ms Catherine King, provided the opening address. Brendon Buckley also provided the conference attendees with an update on the Government’s pending aviation White Paper due for release mid-year. It’s the first aviation White paper since 2009.
The underlying theme of the conference was Sustainability and Emerging Technologies. There were numerous presentations about the emerging technology of hydrogen/electric propulsion systems by Stralis and AMSL Aero. Stralis is retrofitting an existing airframe named ‘Clyde’ with a hydrogen/electric propulsion system. They also outlined their partnership with Skytrans to operate a flight from Brisbane to Gladstone by 2026. AMSL Aero announced the development of an entirely new aircraft named ‘Vertiia’. Qantas outlined their Net Zero by 2050 strategy and a commitment to reduce emissions by 25% from its 2019 levels by 2030. Qantas is also aiming to use 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in its fuel mix by 2030, and it will use zero ‘single use plastics’ by 2027. SAF is expected to be the only ‘in-sector’ (high-capacity operations) decarbonisation solution for >70% of aviation emissions by 2050. IATA has set the goal of Net Zero by 2050.
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Mr Brendon Buckley, Assistant Secretary, Aviation White paper, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts representing the responsible Minister Ms Catherine King, provided the opening address. Brendon Buckley also provided the conference attendees with an update on the Government’s pending aviation White Paper due for release mid-year. It’s the first aviation White paper since 2009.
The underlying theme of the conference was Sustainability and Emerging Technologies. There were numerous presentations about the emerging technology of hydrogen/electric propulsion systems by Stralis and AMSL Aero. Stralis is retrofitting an existing airframe named ‘Clyde’ with a hydrogen/electric propulsion system. They also outlined their partnership with Skytrans to operate a flight from Brisbane to Gladstone by 2026. AMSL Aero announced the development of an entirely new aircraft named ‘Vertiia’. Qantas outlined their Net Zero by 2050 strategy and a commitment to reduce emissions by 25% from its 2019 levels by 2030. Qantas is also aiming to use 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in its fuel mix by 2030, and it will use zero ‘single use plastics’ by 2027. SAF is expected to be the only ‘in-sector’ (high-capacity operations) decarbonisation solution for >70% of aviation emissions by 2050. IATA has set the goal of Net Zero by 2050.
Another significant topic of discussion at the conference was the emergence of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) for regional aviation. AAM has significant potential benefits for Australia’s regional/remote communities, including the fact that it can contribute to passenger and freight, aeromedical, and national disaster operations. Key points of interest included the development of hydrogen propulsion systems, appropriate (austere, automated) ground support facilities for remote operations, progressive automation of the overall AAM air and ground system. It was outlined that the best way to develop AAM is to integrate the air vehicle, air operations and ground infrastructure development. The AAM Cooperative research centre already has industry commitments of $250 M in cash and in-kind support.
CASA and Air Services Australia concluded the conference with presentations, CASA regarding the changes within the regulatory system and Air Services discussed air space management and digital aerodrome services that are starting to replace the exiting control towers. The digital aerodrome typically consists of a determined number of high-resolution cameras located at an aerodrome that relay the images back to an air traffic controller(s) located withing the vicinity of the airport. The digital aerodrome negates the high cost of building and maintaining the traditional control tower.
Craig has more than 40 years of aeronautical industry experience and an extensive design experience on a wide range of aircraft types, specialising in providing technical support for light aircraft, rotary wings, and airline heavy and line maintenance operations. Recent responsibilities have focused on developing safety and quality management systems. Craig has experience working in project management for aeromedical system design, design engineering, business development and more.
