Author name: Kirsten Propitius

Sustainability and Environment

13 June 2024

The NORAH2 project helps predict noise nuisance of rotorcraft

Just like other large moving transport vehicles, helicopters and drones produce noise. To reduce nuisance for people in surrounding areas NLR actively researches reducing noise at the source, for example by designing silent propellers. Equally important, is the capability to predict noise of rotorcraft to regulate and ensure people do not experience excessive hindrance due to operations. When it comes to fixed wing planes, trains or cars, established tools are readily available to predict noise levels. For rotorcraft, however, tools are lagging behind. The NORAH project fills this gap for (local) authorities to perform noise impact assessments.

Blu sky Airplane and clouds

04 June 2024

What about CO2 emissions and flight distance?

Over a fortnight ago, PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB presented their Outline Agreement. The Budget Annex shows that the parties want to differentiate the current air passenger tax by distance, with the ticket tax on longer flights becoming higher than that on shorter flights. The agreement does not explicitly specify what the incoming cabinet considers a ‘short’ or a ‘long-haul’ flight.

Sustainability and Environment

03 May 2024

First flight with electric scale model

On the 2nd of May 2024, a scaled version of a large passenger aircraft with distributed electric propulsion undertook its maiden flight. Further testing will follow to qualify and measure its dynamic flying behaviour, aimed at understanding the advantages of this Distributed Electric Propulsion technology for large passenger aircraft. A reduction of 20% energy consumption should be feasible for the full-scale aircraft.

18 April 2024

NLR People: Arjan de Jong, 'Aircraft design for maintenance'

In the series ‘NLR People’, we show you who the experts at the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre are, what drives them, and what they are working on behind the scenes. In this episode: Arjan de Jong, Principal R&D Engineer at the Maintenance and Engineering Technology (MAE) department.

TRANSCEND - SMR-H2
Sustainability and Environment

11 March 2024

R&D case: Technology review clean energy for next-generation drivetrains (Transcend)

The Clean Sky 2 Coordination and Support Action TRANSCEND (Technology Review of Alternative and Novel Sources of Clean Energy with Next-generation Drivetrains) identifies what alternative energy sources for aviation and novel aircraft propulsion methods can help  mitigate climate change and achieve the environmental goals for 2050. Additionally, as we progress towards 2050 roadmaps and strategic recommendations for alternative energy sources and novel propulsion techniques have been developed to ensure that the potential contributions become reality.

Construction and Manufacturing

04 March 2024

Exploring Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing

Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing (LSAM) can deliver enhanced efficiency, cost-effectiveness and design flexibility for composites cure tooling for Aerospace applications. For a while now NLR operates its own LSAM setup with success and actively participates in various projects dedicated to exploring this process. In a whitepaper NLR addresses the complexities and challenges but it also elaborates on how to make use of the full potential of the LSAM technology.

Airbus A330 landing op Schiphol Airport.
Construction and Manufacturing

28 February 2024

COMPASS targets 30% waste reduction in aerospace

Co-funded by the European Commission the COMPASS project aims to revolutionise the remanufacturing of end-of-life parts into high quality components. This will lead to significant resource savings and promote a circular economy approach in the aerospace and automotive industries.