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Photo: © Michaela Mostýnová

​Czech Solutions for Electric Aviation in Finland

On March 17, 2021, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Helsinki organized a virtual conference, during which Czech technical solutions in the field of electric aviation were presented, mainly to Finnish and Swedish, but also to Norwegian, Estonian and Danish audiences. Eight selected Czech companies presented their solutions to a total of more than 80 participants. The goal of the conference was to support Czech companies in establishing long-term relationships with relevant partners and to develop export opportunities and technological cooperation between Czech and foreign entities. The Czech companies registered interest in their solutions and first feedback already during the event as well as shortly after it.

The virtual conference, introducing Czech solutions in the field of electric aviation, was organized by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Helsinki in cooperation with the Kvarken region and its project FAIR, which is dedicated to the commercialization of sustainable regional electric air transport on both sides of the Gulf of Bothnia. The Helsinki Electric Aviation Association also introduced its activities and current projects at the beginning of the conference.

Throughout the first part of the conference, four Czech companies engaged in the development and manufacturing of electric aircrafts presented their portfolios and strategies. The PURE FLIGHT project encompasses a range of innovative solutions in the field of electric aviation, from the aircrafts as such, through electronic control systems, charging units to hydrogen fuel cell technologies. A representative of PURE FLIGHT presented five entities associated under the umbrella of the project and the benefits of rapidly emerging electro mobility in air transport. Consequently, the focus was drawn to the details of the ultra-economical two-seater ΦNIX and to the upcoming innovations of this platform. BRM Aero presented its Bristell B23 electric aircraft, its technical parameters and advantages as a training model for obtaining a private pilot's license. ZURI has focused on its concept of passenger and cargo aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing, a fusion of vertical and horizontal engines and a hybrid electric engine combining batteries with a biofuel turbine generator. EVEKTOR presented its strategy for the future development of activities in the field of aviation with an emphasis on the project of the sports electric plane EPOS and cooperation with other Czech and foreign companies in the area of development, analysis and testing.

In the second part, the remaining four Czech companies introduced their innovative solutions in the field of electronics, charging and propulsion systems for electric aviation. MGM COMPRO, having a long tradition and experience in exporting to more than 50 countries, demonstrated its specialization in complex electronic equipment for electric aviation, as well as examples of specific projects in the field of electric aircrafts with vertical takeoff and landing, light sport electric aircrafts, drones and self-launching gliders. Charging stations for electric aircrafts of various configurations are the specialization of the companies PEG and Holding Green 24, whose representative illustrated various configurations of these systems and their functional superstructures, including related web and mobile user platforms. Technological start-up LZ-TEC deals mainly with the development of electronics, mechanics and software for aircrafts with vertical take-off and landing. At the end of the conference, LEANCAT, presented their research and development activities of hydrogen fuel cells and their future adaptation and commercialization for hybrid sources in electric aviation.

The virtual conference was moderated by Niko Lamberg, Chairman of the General Aviation Association Finland and Chairman and CEO of Apogee Oy. The event was attended by a total of more than 80 participants from several countries, mainly from Finland and Sweden, among others representatives of regional and national institutions and authorities, companies in the field of electric aviation and related fields, academic and research institutions, professional associations and aeroclubs.