European Parliament leaders host Aeros executives

01a Aeros executivesSource: Windpower Engineering & Development

The President and CEO of Aeros Igor Pasternak, and Director of Strategic Finance, William C. Feeley, were invited to the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium to discuss the economic and environmental benefits of the Aeroscraft with members of the European Commission.

President and CEO of Aeros Igor Pasternak (middle) and Director of Strategic Finance, William C. Feeley (left) were invited to the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium to discuss the economic and environmental benefits of the Aeroscraft with members of the European Commission.

President and CEO of Aeros Igor Pasternak (middle) and Director of Strategic Finance, William C. Feeley (left) were invited to the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium to discuss the economic and environmental benefits of the Aeroscraft with members of the European Commission.

European aviation is a strategically important sector that makes a vital contribution to the EU’s overall economy and employment, supporting 5.1 million jobs and contributing €365B, or 2.4% to European GDP. The EU seeks new competitive alternatives to road and traditional freight logistics, addressing congestion, high fuel prices and tolls, and infrastructure development challenges.

Aeroscraft is a new type of Rigid Variable Buoyancy Air Vehicle, designed to control lift in all stages of air or ground operations, including the ability to off-load heavy payloads without the need to re-ballast. For the first time in history, an aircraft has been designed to control and adjust buoyant and dynamic lift, creating a new paradigm for global air transportation and logistics.  Poised to enhance the air transportation industry, the Aeroscraft will deliver opportunities for business and consumers globally through access to remote locations and by new VTOL cargo delivery capabilities. The key features of the Aeroscraft include a rigid structure, vertical takeoff and landing, and operational abilities at low speed, in hover, and from unprepared surfaces.

The Aeroscraft, here in its California hangar, is a new type of Rigid Variable Buoyancy Air Vehicle, that controls lift in all stages of air or ground operations, including the ability to off-load heavy payloads without the need to re-ballast.

The Aeroscraft, here in its California hangar, is a new type of Rigid Variable Buoyancy Air Vehicle, that controls lift in all stages of air or ground operations, including the ability to off-load heavy payloads without the need to re-ballast.

During the meeting, attendees discussed the successful flight demonstrations of the “Dragon Dream,” the Aeroscraft’s technical innovations, how it provides a more energy efficient method of cargo transport, and the opportunities and benefits arising from future operation of the Aeroscraft within the various logistics chains in Europe. A special interest was taken from the parties in regards to the Aeroscraft’s environmentally friendly benefits, burning only one third the fuel of conventional cargo aircraft, as well as the oversized cargo bay. The Aeroscraft’s oversized cargo bay dimensions will be immensely larger than the largest cargo carrying aircraft on the market today when the aircraft is complete, including the Antonov. Because the cargo is loaded and off-loaded from the bottom of the aircraft it is not limited to traditional nose-loading size restrictions. Upon completion of Mr. Pasternak’s meeting, members agreed to host follow-up meetings to further explore how the Aeroscraft could be integrated into European logistics supply chains. 

“We are extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with the European Parliament and are thankful for the strong interest in the Aeroscraft,” stated Aeros’ Pasternak. “With such a gracious and warm welcome, we look forward to further discussions as to how the Aeroscraft will deliver great economic opportunities, as well as the ability to service the logistical needs of Europe.”

The proof-of-design technology demonstration vehicle for the Aeroscraft was successful in establishing its internal variable buoyancy technology in January 2013, known as COSH or control-of-static-heaviness, and the advanced prototype demonstrated integration of this key technology with other innovative sub-systems during flight operations in the fall of this year. The demonstration of technological maturity now lead Aeros into fleet development for two configurations of the innovative aircraft this decade, a smaller 66-ton capacity vehicle (ML866), and a larger 250- ton capacity vehicle (ML868).

The aim of the EU Mobility and Transport Commission is to promote a mobility that is efficient, safe, secure and environmentally friendly and to create the conditions for a competitive industry generating growth and jobs. The mission of European Commission is to promote mobility enhancements (such as the Aeroscraft) that are efficient, safe, secure, and environmentally friendly. In order to fully exploit the economic potential of the aviation sector, the European Commission constantly works on several important aspects for smoother skies and seeks innovations that will help to make transport more sustainable, which means efficient, clean, safe and seamless.

Source: Windpower Engineering & Development

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