Episode 21 of the “Aerospace Ambition Podcast” featuring Chris Deseure from Thales is out!

Talking Points

• What is the role of Thales in the context of sustainable aviation?

• What is the progress on Thales’ tools to unlock "green capacity" in the airspace?

• What are the objectives of the CONCERTO SESAR Project?

• What are going to be the challenges in the certification of contrail management?

• How is trustworthy AI defined in an aviation context?

• How is AI being used for contrail avoidance or in ATM?

Guest

Since joining Thales in 2011, Chris Deseure has significantly shaped the design of critical embedded systems, with a focus on crew alerting systems. In 2017, he joined the strategic innovation management team of Thales AVS, where he led the launch of several disruptive projects, including the Thales Green Operations project in 2020. Currently, as Chief Product Owner, he oversees the development of Thales's products and services for green operations, driving sustainability in their sector.

Linkedin Profiles

• Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-deseure-9610b2a5/

• Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

Resources

• Thales: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en

• CONCERTO: https://www.concertoproject.eu/

• PROVERT: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/aerospace/press_release/air-france-atmosphere-cerfacs-cgx-dsna-onera-and-thales-join

AAMBITION Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-n

Episode 20 of the “Aerospace Ambition Podcast” featuring Michelle Bishop from CANSO is out!

Talking Points

• What is the role of CANSO & how does it contribute to sustainable aviation?

• On which ATM technologies is the potential of 10% emission reduction in aviation based?

• How does & will AI be integrated into highly safety-critical ATM systems?

• Should tactical contrail management be airline-led or ANSP-led?

• Which problems need to be overcome & which level of certainty is sufficient?

• Will industry action on mitigating warming contrails be operationally wide-spread in the next 5 years?

• How are military conflicts such as the Ukraine War affect air traffic management?

Guest

Michelle Bishop works for CANSO — the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation, which represents 94 ANSPs (Air Navigation Service Provider) globally. As the overseer of CANSO’s global programmes, Michelle plays a pivotal role in leading the strategy for Air Traffic Management. She spearheads the efforts of over 20 international workgroups, dedicated to identifying and fostering the adoption of best practices across the globe. Additionally, Michelle is responsible for industry relations with other aviation stakeholders and for CANSO's activities at ICAO as the voice of ATM.

Resources

• https://canso.org/

Linkedin Profiles

• Michelle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-bishop-a3847838/

• Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

Episode 19 of the “Aerospace Ambition Podcast” featuring Sian Andrews from the NATS is out!

Talking Points

• What is the role of NATS in (sustainable) air traffic management?

• What will be the limiting factor for the projected growth in air transport?

• What is the unique approach which the CICONIA (SESAR) project takes?

• What is the planned Concept of Operations for contrail mitigation?

• What are alternatives to closing down entire airspace in ANSP led approaches?

• What separates low TRL research projects from commercial solutions already out there?

• How does the ISLAND project move waiting times out of the air onto the ground?

• How can we leverage satelite-based ADS-B more?

Guest

Sian Andrews is the SESAR Environmental Lead at NATS. Since joining NATS in 2005 as a trainee Air Traffic Controller and moving on to live training in Area Control, Sian has been an integral part of the SESAR team within the Airspace and Future Operations department at NATS. She concentrates on research that aims to yield environmental benefits and serves as the lead for NATS on contrails. In the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking CICONIA project, she heads the validation work package focusing on contrail mitigation and also contributes to the SESAR 3 Green-GEAR project, which deals with environmental route charging. Outside of work Sian is also a long-term volunteer for a developmental charity, (Christian Aid) campaigning for climate justice and the eradication of poverty.

Resources

• NATS Blog Post on Contrail Avoidance: https://nats.aero/blog/2023/12/leading-the-way-in-contrail-avoidance/ 

• CICONIA Web Page: https://www.sesarju.eu/news/ciconia

• Sian’s Presentation at Eurocontrol in Dec. 2023: https://www.youtube.com/live/xzkozvDYB_A?si=PTyUxNMjxJZ9qxLN&t=17284 

• 4 webinars by Eurocontrol on ‘Making TMAs more efficient’: https://learningzone.eurocontrol.int/ilp/pages/mediacontent.jsf?mediaId=21032151&catalogId=896260

• Eurocontrol Paper, 2023, “Reducing CO2 emissions of arrivals by acting on departure times - A perspective for 30 European airports”: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361005587_Control_of_airborne_delays_by_adjusting_ground_delays_an_option_to_reduce_CO2_emissions 

• Eurocontrol Paper, 2022, “Control of airborne delays by adjusting ground delays: an option to reduce CO2 emissions?”: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371199346_Reducing_CO2_emissions_of_arrivals_by_acting_on_departure_times_-_A_perspective_for_30_European_airports 

Linkedin Profiles

• Sian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-andrews-36724336/

• Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

AAMBITION Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-n

Episode 18 of the “Aerospace Ambition Podcast” featuring Haldane Dodd from the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) is out!

Talking Points

• What sets the ATAG apart from typical non-profit organizations in aviation?

• Why are contrails not yet included on the ATAG aviation facts page?

• Has every stakeholder in the aviation industry understood the significance of non-CO2 effects?

• Which problems need to be solved for contrail avoidance to be scaled beyond trials?

• Is the European Commission taking the right approach to support the process?

• How far are we off in terms of reaching net-zero targets by 2050?

• Which role does the risk of global tipping points play?

• What policies will be needed to motivate oil producers to produce more SAFs?

Guest

Haldane is the Executive Director at the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). Previously, he was head of communications and advocacy at ATAG and communications manager with Airports Council International. Haldane started his aviation career at the listed company Auckland International Airport Limited, which runs New Zealand’s busiest airport. He has a background in broadcast media and holds a Bachelor of Communications Studies.

Resources

• ATAG Aviation Facts: https://atag.org/facts-figures/

Linkedin Profiles

• Haldane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haldanedodd/

• Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

AAMBITION Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-n

Episode 17 of the “Aerospace Ambition Podcast” featuring Dr Dan Rutherford from The International Council on Clean Transportation is out!

Talking Points

• Why is 2035 a good timescale to set sustainable aviation goals?

• How should we trade of carbon-intensity goals versus absolute emissions goals?

• Should we prioritize quantify or quality of SAFs during the scale-up?

• Why are OEMs’ delivery projections concerning with regard to sustainable aviation?

• How good do weather models have to be for contrail management to be adopted at scale?

• Are papers stressing uncertainty in the mitigation of non-CO2 effects of aviation helpful?

• When is contrail warming going to be integrated into the Travel Impact Model?

• What is the Science Based Targets initiative?

• Is it fair to compare supersonic flight with advanced air mobility sustainabilitywise?

Guest

Dr Dan Rutherford is the ICCT's first Senior Director of Research for Marine and Aviation, where he focuses on developing policies to reduce emissions from planes and ships with national and international regulators. An expert in fuel efficiency and emission reduction in international transport, he has contributed to environmental policies at the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Maritime Organization for over ten years. Dan holds a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota Morris and a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and Science from Stanford University.

Resources

• ICCT Technology Pathway: https://theicct.org/publication/global-aviation-vision-2050-align-aviation-paris-jun22/

• Travel Impact Model: https://travelimpactmodel.org/

• ICCT & MIT Study on Supersonic Flight: https://theicct.org/publication/aviation-global-supersonic-safs-feb22/

Linkedin Profiles

• Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-rutherford-b179652/

• Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

AAMBITION Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-n

Episode 16 of the “Aerospace Ambition Podcast” featuring Dr Adam Durant from SATAVIA is out!

Talking Points

• Why did Adam switch from an academic to an entrepreneurial career?

• What makes SATAVIA a startup, and why is a for-profit setup the best way to success?

• How does SATAVIA perform contrail avoidance, and how does it integrate with existing flight planning?

• How can airlines get locked in to do contrail management beyond one-off marketing events?

• What makes Adam confident that his carbon credit scheme will find widespread adoption?

• How much better is SATAVIA’s weather model than what is publicly available?

• What are the results from trials with 12 airline operators & is uncertainty really a problem?

• How will AI transform the weather prediction pipeline in the future?

Guest

Dr Adam Durant is a distinguished figure at the nexus of environmental science and the aviation industry. With a foundational career in volcanic ash research, his work gained prominence following the Icelandic eruptions in 2010, which significantly impacted European aviation. This experience led to crucial collaborations with Airbus and EasyJet, flight-testing volcanic ash detection technology. In 2013, leveraging his expertise and entrepreneurial vision, Adam founded SATAVIA, a Cambridge-based company focused on providing decision intelligence for aviation. It was founded to transform the relationship between aviation and the atmospheric environment. Prior to SATAVIA, he held positions at the University of Cambridge and the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, contributing significantly to the field of atmospheric science and aviation safety.

Resources

SATAVIA: https://satavia.com/

Study with KPMG: https://kpmg.com/ie/en/home/insights/2024/01/contrails-aviation-2030.html

Linkedin Profiles

Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjdurant/

Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

AAMBITION Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-n

Episode 15 of the “Aerospace Ambition Podcast” featuring Nicolas Meijers from Estuaire is out!

Talking Points

• What made Nicolas found Estuaire?

• Which problem does Estuaire solve, and why does it need a startup?

• What is the value product of Estuaire, and who is competition?

• How should we compare CO2- and Non-CO2 effects?

• How should the avoidance of non-CO2 effects be regulated?

• Why is now the right time to act against non-CO2 effects?

• What did the recent study with KPMG reveal?

Guest

Nicolas Meijers, an eager enthusiast of aviation, embarked on his journey in the world of aviation in Toulouse, obtaining his private pilot license. His educational path led him to MIT, where he achieved a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, specializing in air traffic operations and data analytics for the FAA. His career path has featured positions at a leading airport corporation and an AI startup, experiences that culminated in founding his own startup, Estuaire, together with his brother, Maxime.

Resources

Estuaire: https://estuaire.dev/

Study with KPGM: https://kpmg.com/ie/en/home/insights/2024/01/contrails-aviation-2030.html

Linkedin Profiles

Nicolas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-meijers

Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

AAMBITION Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-n

Episode 14 of the "Aerospace Ambition Podcast" featuring Dr Peter De Bock from the ARPA-E is out!

Talking Points

• How did Peter learn to tackle moonshots projects?

• What is the ARPA model, and how is it similar to a hackathon?

• Why is PRE-TRAILS a moonshot program?

• What motivated Peter to pitch the PRE-TRAILS program to his leadership?

• What are the technical and economic hypotheses?

• How does PRE-TRAILS combine better sensors, observation mechanism and advanced models for better contrail prediction?

Guest

Dr. Peter de Bock is a distinguished expert in electronics thermal management and aviation propulsion systems, currently directing programs at the ARPA-E. With a rich background that includes 18 years at GE Research as a Principal Engineer and numerous leadership roles in power and thermal management, Peter has been at the forefront of advancing electrification in aviation. He's an innovator with around 40 patents, chairs the K-16 committee on Heat Transfer in Electronics of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and boasts an impressive academic journey from the Netherlands to the University of Cincinnati.

Resources

ARPA-E PRE-TRAILS Projects: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/technologies/exploratory-topics/aviation-contrails

ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit: https://www.arpae-summit.com/ 

AAMBITION Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-n

Episode 13 of the "Aerospace Ambition Podcast" featuring Kay Köhler from the Umweltbundesamt is out!

Talking Points

• What is the role of Umweltbundesamt - German Environment Agency?

• How do you get from scientific discoveries to regulation?

• Why did the first try to regulate contrails 15 years ago fail?

• When will there be a prize tag on contrails?

• What is CORSIA, what is the EU ETS?

• Where do CORSIA and the EU ETS work together?

• Where are loopholes for airlines in these systems?

• How is uncertainty around CO2 equivalencies factored into allowances?

Guest

Kay Köhler serves as a Senior Technical Officer in the Aviation Unit at the German Environment Agency (UBA). Holding both a Master in Public Administration and a Master in Aerospace Engineering, Kay previously oversaw emission protection, including noise and air pollution control for stationary installations, at the City of Berlin for approximately ten years. Since 2013, he has been employed at the UBA, concentrating on the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), and the non-CO2 impacts of aviation. Additionally, he participates in several European working groups related to aviation.

AAMBITION Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-n

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Heartfelt shoutout to Kieran: Keep pushing on this ‘long final’ of handing in your PhD thesis!

Episode 12 of the "Aerospace Ambition Podcast," featuring Dr. Richard Moore, is now here!

Talking Points

• How does NASA make aviation more sustainable?

• Why makes Chase Experiments so complex?

• How does NASA collaborate with the DLR?

• How do sustainable aviation fuels influence contrail formation?

• What is the influence of newer engine technologies?

• How does NASA decide which kind of SAF to investigate?

Guest

We're thrilled to have Dr. Richard Moore of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration join our program. Richard, a Research Physical Scientist, has been with NASA’s Langley Research Center's Science Directorate since 2014, where he contributes significantly to the NASA Langley Aerosol Research Group and the NASA Langley Lidar Applications Group. His focus is on studying atmospheric aerosols and their impacts on air quality, clouds, and climate. Using instrumented aircraft like the NASA DC-8, P-3B, and C-130, Richard directly observes aerosols and trace gases in the atmosphere, aiming to enhance our understanding of atmospheric components via NASA’s spaceborne remote sensors. 

Resources

• Very short video: https://youtu.be/ZMWXlUi68ng

• Very short video: https://youtu.be/vuZhkaJzSHE

• Short Video: https://youtu.be/CMU0b6CmGw0

• 2021, Voigt et al. "Cleaner burning aviation fuels can reduce contrail cloudiness": https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-021-00174-y

LinkedIn Profiles

• Richard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardhmoore/

• Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

• Kieran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-t-7b9952102/

AAMBITION Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-n

Episode 11 of the "Aerospace Ambition Podcast" has arrived, starring Dr Roger Teoh! Prepare for a captivating discussion!

Talking Points

• What was the unfinished business which made Roger come back to research?

• What does he find so frustrating about uncertainties?

• What are the top 4 factors influencing contrail climate forcing?

• Are people aware of the actual effects of SAFs on contrail formation?

• How is the contrail forecasting tool he & breakthrough are working on better than the existing CoCiP?

• Should we do contrail avoidance? Should we fly less?

Guest

Dr Roger Teoh is a visiting scholar from Imperial College London. Having earned his PhD in Aviation and the Environment from the same institution in 2020, Roger's research now focuses on the intersection of aviation and climate change. He is dedicated to assessing and reducing the climate effects of aviation emissions and contrail cirrus. It's a pleasure to have you with us today, Roger!

Resources

• 2023, Teoh et al. "A high-resolution Global Aviation emissions Inventory based on ADS-B (GAIA) for 2019–2021": https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2023/egusphere-2023-724/

LinkedIn Profiles

• Roger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhsteoh/

• Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

• Kieran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-t-7b9952102/

• AAMBITION Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-n

Episode 10 of the "Aerospace Ambition Podcast" is here, featuring Dr Alejandro Block! Get ready for an engaging conversation!

Talking Points

• What is the role of IATA for achieving net-zero & which role do non-CO2 emissions play?

• What are the certainty gaps for avoiding contrails?

• Are too many or too few airlines trialling contrail avoidance?

• How many aircraft do we need to gather enough in-situ humidity data?

• Is the airspace really already too packed for any kind of operational contrail management?

• What is the counterfactual scenario? Would a contrail form even if all flights avoid an ISSR region?

• Why is his confidence low that we'll get to a good quantification of non-CO2 effects in 2024?

• Are satellites good enough to be taken for contrail detection?

Guest

It brings us great pleasure to feature Dr. Alejandro Block from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), where he serves as the Manager for New Energies and Technologies. Alejandro led the development of IATA's net-zero roadmap. Holding a PhD in aerospace propulsion, he is also a Research Visiting Fellow at Cranfield University and a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He has contributed extensively to international publications focusing on aviation emissions and environmental impact.

Resources

• IATA Non-CO2 Aviation Emissions: https://www.iata.org/contentassets/5499da2b3b7d46b3b13be4dad54a9689/policy-position-non-co2-aviation-emissions.pdf

LinkedIn Profiles

• Alejandro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandro-block/

• Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

• Kieran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-t-7b9952102/

• AAMBITION Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-newsletter

Welcome to Episode 9 of the “Aerospace Ambition Podcast,” featuring the one and only Prof. Steven Barrett (MIT). Join us for a riveting dialogue that promises to enlighten!

Talking Points

• Are we talking about contrail management too much?

• How is ARPA-E with the PreTrails program related to Star Trek?

• What has Steven’s umbrella to do with predicting ISSRs?

• What are the 3 biggest problems in running contrail management at scale?

• Are we running the risk that false positives deviate flights into ISSRs hence creating a double negative effect?

• Is the concept of “big hitters” helpful in preventing contrail cirrus warming?

Guest

Steven holds the prestigious H. N. Slater Professorship of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Leading the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department and directing the MIT Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment, he focuses on advancing the aviation field towards zero environmental impact. His areas of research include developing low emission propulsion technologies, contrail avoidance strategies, and assessing the sustainability of SAFs.

Links

• Steven: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenrhbarrett/

• Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

• Kieran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-t-7b9952102/

• AAMBITION Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-newsletter

Welcome aboard Episode 8 of the “Aerospace Ambition Podcast,” featuring our distinguished guest, Joachim Majholm! Don’t miss out on this enlightening conversation!

This time, we're excited to have Joachim Majholm join us. With a successful career as a business leader, serial entrepreneur, and adept communicator spanning two decades, Joachim is the founder of Blue Lines. This initiative is dedicated to raising awareness about the environmental impacts of contrails and accelerating the implementation of policies to mitigate the warming effects caused by airline contrails. Additionally, Joachim has recently taken on the role of Senior Consultant for Contrails at the Rocky Mountain Institute. Welcome, Joachim!

Talking Points

• How did Joachim get into contrails and founded Blue Lines?

• What is the role of Blue Lines in this ecosystem?

• Which airlines are spearheading contrail research and trials?

• Why is it so hard to bring about change to airlines processes?

• Why Is contrail avoidance not a case for startups? Would he ever invest?

• How is the EU taking a startup approach to regulation?

Links

• Joachim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joachimmajholm/

• Blue Lines: blue-lines.org

Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

• Kieran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-t-7b9952102/

• AAMBITION Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-newsletter

Resources

• Delta Air Lines: https://news.delta.com/business-imperative-delta-outlines-roadmap-more-sustainable-travel 

• Air France: https://corporate.airfrance.com/en/other-impacts-aviation-climate#sustainableaviation#climatetech#aambition#AerospaceAmbitionPodcast#Innovation

Welcome aboard Episode 7 of the “Aerospace Ambition Podcast,” featuring our esteemed guest Rémi Chevallier! Get ready for an engaging conversation!

In today's episode 7, we're excited to introduce Rémi Chevallier, a doctoral candidate at ENAC and AIRBUS. With expertise in aviation, data science, optimization, and avionics, Rémi has recently made waves with his paper on detecting contrails using satellite and air traffic data. His work, which he showcased at the Sustainable Skies Conference, promises intriguing insights. A warm welcome to Rémi on the podcast!

Discussion Highlights:

• Rémi’s innovative method for observing contrails: What sets it apart?

• How does Rémi's approach differ from the methods of DLR & Google?

• The limitations of satellite-only observations for contrail analysis.

• The influence of weather conditions on predicting contrails.

• Is it possible to assess contrails' climate impact from space?

• The role of collaboration among aviation stakeholders in enhancing accuracy.

• Debating if contrail avoidance is a comprehensive solution for aviation sustainability.

Links

Rémi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/remi-chevallier/

Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

Kieran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-t-7b9952102/

AAMBITION Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-newsletter

Embark on a journey with Episode 6 of the “Aerospace Ambition Podcast” featuring our distinguished guest Alejandra Martín Frías!

We're excited to have Alejandra join us in this episode. A pioneer in the field of operational contrail management, Alejandra serves as the Head of Contrail Research and Sustainability at FLIGHTKEYS and is also deeply involved in an industrial PhD focusing on Contrail Mitigation strategies. Her innovative work was recently highlighted at the Sustainable Skies Conference, involving collaborations with major organizations such as Breakthrough, Google, and American Airlines.

Talking Points:

• Exploring FLIGHTKEYS' contribution to contrail management & its flight planning software products.

• Understanding the advantages of integrating research directly into operational applications.

• Examining the balance between simulated experiments & actual in-flight trials.

• Investigating airlines' perspectives on contrail management & their acceptable fuel trade-offs.

• Discussing alternative methods to the CoCiP model for predicting contrail formation.

• Delving into how FLIGHTKEYS' cost optimizer in flight planning can incorporate contrail impact considerations.

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Links

Alejandra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandra-martin-frias/

FLIGHTKEYS: https://flightkeys.com/

Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

Kieran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-t-7b9952102/

AAMBITION Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-newsletter

In this episode 5, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Bethan Owen, a respected reader at The Manchester Metropolitan University and a distinguished United Nations co-rapporteur in the International Civil Aviation Organization Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection, through which she co-chairs the Emissions Regulations Group. Welcome to the podcast, Bethan!

Talking Points:

• Exploring the intersection of science and policymaking for real-world impact.

• Debating the immediate implementation of contrail management and the need for operational trials.

• Assessing the alignment between ICAO & EU on contrails, given the recent innovation fund tender by the European commission

• Identifying aviation's Non-CO2 effects and the surrounding uncertainties.

• Weighing the importance of CO2 reduction strategies against the "low-hanging fruit" of contrail management.

• Comparing the Lee et al. studies from 2021 and 2023 (both of which she co-authored, links below).

• Unravelling the roles of ICAO, CAEP, FAA, EASA in aviation rule making.

Guiding the discussion on the complexities of mitigating non-CO2 aircraft emissions are Marius Wedemeyer and Kieran Tait.

Links

Bethan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethan-owen-9072bb126/

Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

Kieran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-t-7b9952102/

AAMBITION Newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-newsletter

Resources

1. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/ea/d3ea00091e

2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231020305689

3. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-20771-3

4. https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/environment/icao-aircraft-engine-emissions-databank

5. https://www.icao.int/publications/documents/9889_cons_en.pdf

In today's Episode 4, we have the privilege of hosting Professor Ian Poll, a distinguished figure in the field of aerospace engineering. Renowned in both academic and industrial circles, Professor Poll is an emeritus professor at Cranfield University, former Chairman of the Defence Scientific Advisory Committee, and has held esteemed positions within the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering. He was also a member of NERC.

Join us as we delve into Professor Poll's significant contributions to aerospace engineering. Our discussion will cover a range of thought-provoking topics including the dual role of aviation in the climate crisis, the concept of demand management within the aviation industry, strategies for contrail management, the potential of cooling clouds in combating climate change, and the metrics for assessing contrail management. We'll also examine the financial aspects of contrail management and the risks airlines face without proactive measures in this arena. Welcome to the show, Ian!

Talking points

• Why is aviation both part of the problem and part of the solution for the climate crisis?

• What would demand management mean for the aviation industry?

• What ways are there to implement contrail management?

• Can cooling clouds be used to reverse climate change?

• What is the right baseline which contrail management should be measured against?

• What factors determine if a contrail is warming or cooling for the environment?

• Where does contrail management end and where does geoengineering start?

• Is there money to be made in contrail management?

• Which risks are airlines running if they don’t act proactively?

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LinkedIn

Ian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-poll-9411a111/

Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

Kieran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-t-7b9952102/

AAMBITION Newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-newsletter

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Resources

• Poll Schumann Model: https://elib.dlr.de/135592/1/Poll_Schumann_estimation_method_fuel_burn_performance_aircraft_cruise_part_1_fundamentals_2020.pdf

In today's Episode 3, we're thrilled to introduce Marc Shapiro, the Director of the Contrails team at Breakthrough Energy in the US. Marc and his team are at the forefront of developing innovative research tools aimed at reducing the aviation sector's impact on climate. Collaborating with renowned research groups like MIT and DLR, alongside tech giants such as Google, and operational bodies including Eurocontrol and the National Air Traffic Service, they're making significant strides in this challenging field. Contrails, those aircraft-induced clouds familiar to us all, account for 1-2% of the total global climate impact. Under Marc's leadership, the team at Breakthrough is pioneering efforts to predict where these clouds may form and assess their climate-warming potential.

Today, we dive deep into the groundbreaking work of Marc and his team, exploring the challenges and opportunities in understanding and managing contrails' impact on our climate. So sit back, relax, and get ready to be enlightened by the remarkable advancements in aviation climate research. Welcome, Marc!

Talking points:

• Exploring the True Costs of Contrail Management

• Comparing Strategies: Pre-tactical vs. Real-Time Contrail Management

• The Role of AI and Weather Forecasting in Contrail Prediction

• Inside Google & Breakthrough's Partnership: Advancing ML

• Why the Contrail Problem Remains Largely Untouched by Startups

• Progress Toward Climate-Optimized Air Travel: How Close Are We?

• Future of Contrail Management: Regulations & Carbon Credits

• The 2030 Vision for Contrail Management: Who Will Lead and Breakthrough Energy's Role

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LinkedIn:

Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shapirml/

Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

Kieran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-t-7b9952102/

AAMBITION Newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-newsletter

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Ressources:

• Breakthrough Contrails: https://contrails.org/

• Contrails Open Source Models: https://py.contrails.org/

• Contrails Map: https://map.contrails.org/

• Mobile App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/contrails-observer/id6454432163

In this Episode #2, we delve deep into the quest for achieving true net-zero climate impact in the aviation sector, with a special spotlight on Contrail Management and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). Our esteemed guest, Nikhil Sachdeva, a Principal at Roland Berger's office in London, shares his expertise on the transition to eco-friendly aviation technologies. Nikhil, with his impressive background in Aerospace Engineering from Imperial College and an MBA from Harvard Business School, is a treasure trove of knowledge and insights.

We cover a wide range of topics, including:

• The concept of "circular SAF" and common misconceptions about SAF.

• A look at Nikhil's study, “Aviation's Roadmap to True Zero” presented at COP27 and his latest findings presented at COP28 on Circular SAFs.

• The intricacies of lifecycle assessments in comparing different pathways to sustainable aviation and the level of certainty these assessments bring.

• The role of contrail management in reducing aviation's climate impact and the scientific consensus on its operational implementation.

• A critical discussion on the scalability and regulatory approaches for contrail management, along with the exploration of incentives for addressing all climate effects of aviation, including non-CO2 effects.

• Nikhil's projections for the future of contrail management by 2030 and the risks airlines might face for not implementing solutions like contrail management.

Join us as Nikhil Sachdeva, with his unique blend of technical prowess and strategic insight, navigates us through the complex landscape of sustainable aviation. Get ready for an episode packed with in-depth discussions, thought-provoking insights, and visionary perspectives on the future of our skies. 🌍✈️

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LinkedIn:

Nikhil Sachdeva: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilsachdeva/

Marius: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariuswedemeyer/

Kieran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-t-7b9952102/

AAMBITION Newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/55033eb444bd/aambition-newsletter

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Sources:

0. “One percent of the world’s population accounts for more than half of flying emissions”, https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/one-percent-worlds-population-accounts-more-half-flying-emissions

1. “Circular SAF: Waste-to-SAF as a critical bridge to a sustainable future for aviation”, Kyle Datta and Nikhil Sachdeva, Roland Berger: https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Insights/Publications/Waste-to-SAF-A-critical-bridge-to-a-sustainable-future-for-aviation.html

2. “A sustainable approach to eliminate all climate effects of air travel”, Nikhil Sachdeva, Roland Berger: https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Insights/Publications/Aviation-s-Roadmap-to-True-Zero.html

3. Teoh, R., Engberg, Z., Schumann, U., Voigt, C., Shapiro, M., Rohs, S., and Stettler, M.: Global aviation contrail climate effects from 2019 to 2021, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-1859, 2023.