05 September 2024
The zoning plan for the development of the MITC test centre on NLR’s Marknesse site is irrevocable. The pending appeals have been withdrawn. An important step for the internationally oriented test centre and also innovation hub where vehicles and aircraft for the future will be developed and tested.
10 July 2024
On 9 July, NLR officially announced the commissioning of the Sunspace solar farm in Marknesse, developed by HVC. This allows the solar panels to supply green electricity comparable to the power consumption of 17,000 households.
27 June 2024
CONCERTO is aiming to develop a comprehensive set of regulations for aircraft certification, together with a preliminary description of the Methods of Compliance (MoCs) that will apply to the three main thrusts of clean aviation: Hybrid-electric regional aircraft, Ultra-efficient short and short-medium range aircraft disruptive technologies for enabling hydrogen-powered aircraft. Furthermore, it aims to assess the feasibility of a digital certification framework that will help collaboration and model-based certification.
13 June 2024
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.
04 June 2024
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.
03 May 2024
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.
11 March 2024
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.
