Edinburgh Napier University

  In FFC Phase 3, the consortium will develop and mature a range of innovative capabilities to demonstrate a ‘Day-in-the-life-of’ a deployed HEART network, within a commercially relevant target area. This will include flight trials utilising a hydrogen-electric power train, autonomous aircraft control and pilot support systems for Single Pilot Operations, and demonstration of key technologies that address commercial viability, passenger needs and wider inter-modal transport network connectivity.
The activities in HEART culminate in multi-stage flight demonstrations within the Scottish Highlands, utilising:
• ZeroAvia’s Dornier 228 aircraft, equipped with hydrogen fuel cells, electric powertrain, and Blue Bear’s Digital Pilot Support System (DPSS) to demonstrate the integration of innovations in energy, powertrains and aircraft automation.
• A Britten-Norman Islander equipped with Blue Bear’s DPSS and Inmarsat’s SATCOM to demonstrate the operation and viability of configurable aircraft automation with agile deployment across multiple platforms.
Proof of concept demonstrations, simulation and analysis will be conducted on key interfacing technologies and critical needs to support the infrastructure of HEART as it develops and expands.