E-planes may well electrify island's future
ISLANDERS could be forgiven for being cynical about taking to the skies in battery-powered aircraft, but they will. The only question is when.
Electric planes have been the holy grail of flying since at least the 1930s and for obvious reasons. Compared to piston or jet aircraft, electric motors are more efficient, cheap, simple and very much more reliable. With few moving parts, they are far less likely to go wrong.
The issue – not to be understated – is range. That is why technological advances in battery capacity and charging, plus developments in hydrogen fuel cells make the advent of e-aircraft a certainty.
It also explains why organisations of the calibre of Rolls Royce and establishments like Cranfield Aerospace Solutions are backing this next phase of flight, essential for de-carbonising transport.
What is particularly exciting for Guernsey is that a local company, Harrisson Aviation, is playing a pioneering role in its development.
Quite apart from piloting the eventual conversion of Britten-Norman Islanders (AKA ‘Joey’) to electric aircraft, its business model could see the island as headquarters for a roll-out of this retro-fitting across the estimated 700 Islanders still working globally.
Whether this comes off – or in what form – is not the overriding point, however. Electrification of aircraft using Guernsey airport is.
Whether that means investment to facilitate ‘refuelling’ electrically or through hydrogen, adaptation will be required if the facilities there are to remain adequate for tomorrow’s needs.
The uptake in electric cars, as we reported on Saturday, shows the authorities here are arguably behind the curve in preparing for the auto revolution while the ports are already notoriously under-invested. Opportunities have been missed because the existing runway is too short and, despite the evidence, government looks resistant to meaningful improvements in that area.
Short haul electric aircraft has likely knock-on effects on conventional aircraft using the island. But Project Fresson, which is developing an electric propulsion system for Islanders, shows the island has significant infrastructure challenges ahead.