The British Royal Air Force (RAF) recently completed what is being described as the world’s first flight using 100 per cent synthetic fuel. The flight took place on November 2, 2021, in Great Britain with a Rotax-powered Comco Ikarus C42 microlight aircraft.

Prior to the flight, Zero Petroleum’s synthetic fuel was extensively texted by CFS Aeroproducts Ltd, the UK Distributor and Authorized Service Centre for Rotax Aircraft engines. From this testing, Rotax explains the engine performed as though running on fossil fuels, but ran at lower temperatures, suggesting that the synthetic fuel could increase engine lifespans while reducing carbon emissions.

Officials from both CFS Aeroproducts and Zero Petroleum stated that power and torque curves closely match between what is now being called ZERO SynAvGas and UL91 fossil fuel. The synthetic fuel could also save up to 90 per cent carbon per flight, explains Rotax.

The innovation behind the synthetic-fuel powered flight comes from the RAF’s Project MARTIN, which was initiated by the Rapid Capabilities Office in June 2021. Jeremy Quin, Minister for Defence Procurement said that the flight was “a world first innovation and that it shows the determination of UK Armed Forces to drive forward creative ideas on net zero alongside meeting operational commitments.”

“We are proud to be part of this world record flight,” said Peter Oelsinger, General Manager BRP-Rotax / Member of the Management Board, Vice President Sales, Marketing RPS-Business & Communications. “The multi-fuel capability of our aircraft engines, that are able to fly with unleaded, leaded MOGAS or AVGAS fuel provides the perfect match for such an innovative project like this.”

The gasoline was manufactured in Orkney by extracting hydrogen from water and carbon from atmospheric carbon dioxide, and combining these ingredients using locally generated wind, and tide and wave energy. Rotax explains this process can also be used to create a range of “drop-in” fuels, which are a substitute for fossil-based aviation fuels and require no engine modification. Paddy Lowe, the chief operating officer of Zero Petroleum, explains that the synthetic gasoline had been developed “in just five months” and yet it ran successfully in the aircraft without any modification to the plane or the engine.

Leveraging this innovation and working towards the government’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050, the RAF has set an internal goal of becoming a net zero force by 2040 with its first net zero airbase by 2025.

(Photo: Rotax)

After almost 70 years of municipal ownership, the Saugeen Municipal Airport has a prospective buyer. A group of local business people has expressed interest in purchasing the airport. (Photo: Pauline Kerr)

— By Pauline Kerr, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Walkerton Herald Times

A group of people has expressed interest in buying Saugeen Municipal Airport (SMA), for the purpose of operating it as an airport on a financially viable basis.

The group, consisting of Walkerton businessman Darren Holm, his brother Todd Holm and his landlord Sam Bacher, recently made a presentation to Hanover council about purchasing the airport. In stating their case for private ownership of the airport, they promised to run SMA as an airport for 10 years. They have yet to make presentations to West Grey and Brockton councils.

When asked about the short length of time (10 years), Holm referred to Canada’s intention to reduce carbon emissions and get rid of internal combustion engines in vehicles — this could have an impact on airplanes.

“We can make it profitable,” Holm said in an interview about the group’s plans for the airport. “We can make it stand on its own two feet.” He spoke of a combination of investing in the kind of infrastructure at the airport — things like automated grounds maintenance — that would drastically reduce operating costs, and some new airport-related development.

Holm also spoke of problems with the way the airport is presently being operated, as a partnership of three municipalities — Hanover, West Grey and Brockton. “It’s being run on a shoestring,” Holm said. “The taxpayers will not support additional investment in it.”

He went on to say that he thinks the airport “is in trouble, but it can be fixed” by having private owners with the resources to make necessary investments.

In his presentation to Hanover council, Holm referred to a $171,000 deficit — a number that the mayor and council took issue with, saying $150,000 of that was the “municipal contribution.”

This year, Hanover Coun. Dave Hocking, who represents that municipality on the airport commission, predicted a $35,000 surplus. Holm said he takes issue with this figure. By his calculations, “it looks like a deficit again.” Holm has copies of financial documents presented at airport commission meetings.

Holm said his group questions a number of things in the airport’s financials. One is the amount pilots pay for hangars. A few own the land and building, and pay taxes and access fees; most either lease the land or rent hangars. Holm said he’d like to see a more equitable rental fee structure, for starters.

He also takes issue with the fuel pricing and the airport’s management contract.

He said that if his group ends up negotiating a good price for the airport and purchases it, the priorities will be “creating efficiencies and getting spending under control — and keeping the pilots happy.”

Holm is the owner and operator of Holm Graphics in Walkerton. He has a diverse background in aviation and health care as a paramedic and respiratory therapist who operated his own air ambulance service in California.

― By Julien B. Gauthier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Le Lac-Saint-Jean

Montreal-based Aeronyx wants to develop the drone delivery market in the Saguenay―Lac-Saint-Jean area. Choosing to establish itself in Alma, the company plans to run tests and start building relationships with local businesses.

Its vision is to offer businesses a new segment in the supply chain that can be called upon when transport issues risk disrupting the transit of goods. “We noticed that interruptions in the production line can cost companies thousands of dollars per hour. We have to come up with an alternative solution to restart production – it’s a vital issue,” declared Jérémy Laplante, Aeronyx’s president and cofounder.

Aeronyx got its start through the SUITE entrepreneuriale Desjardins business incubator program and is a member of Alma’s UAS Centre of Excellence. It currently has three employees.

Legislation
For the moment, however, the company must overcome obstacles posed by Transport Canada’s regulations. Currently, drones cannot transport cargo exceeding 25 kg and deliveries must be within the pilot’s line of sight.

This is why Aeronyx is currently networking to find companies willing to participate financially.

Parallel to these efforts, the company is also lobbying Transport Canada to change its regulations. With more and more actors asking for change, Aeronyx believes the law will have to adapt. “We have to demonstrate that companies are interested in this new market to convince Transport Canada to broaden the scope. Within a year or two, I believe they will be ready to take that step. We’re starting to see it in the United States, with out of sight flights,” reasoned Jérémy Laplante.

Aeronyx believes that it will soon be possible for drones to transport heavy cargo, most notably for companies and hospitals. “There are examples around the world, but we’re still talking about pilot projects focused on a single region. For example, there is a company called Zipline already making medical deliveries in Africa. We want to take it even further.”

Demystifying Drone Delivery
“Many companies associate drones with military applications or small drones that can only carry small loads. We tell them to imagine how things will be a few years from now. If today drones can carry 25 kg, tomorrow it will be 100 kg,” he concluded, pointing out that high capacity cargo drones already exist.

Next summer, Aeronyx will be working on a drone delivery project to connect two strategic points over the Saguenay Fjord. Talks are currently ongoing with a partner based in La Baie.

(Image : Aeronyx)