One of the world's shortest air routes is soon to be the cleanest, operating as a test site for electric and other low-carbon aircraft as part of Scotland's commitment to 'decarbonize' passenger flights within Scotland by 2040.
The route, operated by Loganair, joins the Orkney Islands of Westray and Papa Westray with a two-minute flight schedule, using a conventionally-powered 8-seater. Other Orkney routes may be used in the tests as well.
In addition to electric aircraft such as the Eviation Alice above, tested planes will include hybrids, planes powered by hydrogen cells. Despite jokes, no rubber-band-powered candidates need apply.
The £3.7 million sustainable aviation project is under supervision of Highlands and Islands Airports, a company owned by the Scottish government. It weill be based at a new low-carbon aviation test center at Kirkwall Airport, the hub for Orkney Island services. Also under consideration: use of drones to deliver medical and other supplies to remote areas.
With many of the new concepts, especially electric planes, in early stages, short routes with low passenger loads are best suited for trials. As technology develops, especially if super-low battery weights can be achieved, larger and longer become possible.
At the larger and longer end, there is progress of another sort, with Boeing pledging to make commercial deliveries by 2030 of planes that can run on 100% sustainable fuels, made from plants, waste and other processes. At present, these fuels can be mixed up to 50% with conventional jet fuel, although two years ago, Boeing and FedEx demonstrated full-sustainable capacity with a 777F freighter.
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