Project contributes to green aviation

The tests are completed, and the results are in – Skellefteå Airport could become the world's first airport with its own test site for electric airplanes. This could be the result of a successful research project at Luleå University of Technology.

"As far as we know, there is no such test site in an airport environment, which makes this quite unique," says Jonny Johansson, Professor in Electronic Systems.

The project aimed to investigate the possibilities of creating a test environment at Skellefteå Airport to evaluate the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of electric airplanes, drones, and eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing). This type of test environment is called an Open Area Test Site (OATS).

There has been ongoing work in Skellefteå to establish the town and the airport as a development site for the electrification of aviation. Jonny Johansson, together with project partners, has played a key role in providing a basis for establishing a test bed for EMC in the airport environment.

"Not only can this lead to a greater focus on electrified aviation and green flights, but it can also become a bridge and resource for the long-established activity of cold climate vehicle testing in northern Sweden," Jonny Johansson added.

Despite a successful project, it has not been without challenges. To contribute to the development of environmentally friendly air routes, the project has analysed regulations and created design documentation for future installations of test equipment. To ensure sustainability and the ability to operate this type of facility in the long term, the project has also analysed market conditions.

The results from the project will serve as a puzzle piece in the ongoing and future work around electrified aviation in Skellefteå, providing a foundation for the day when a test environment is to be built.