Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) is delighted to announce its participation in the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) project, which has secured an additional £1.7 million in funding. UK’s Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge competition, awarded to innovative projects demonstrating integrated aviation systems and novel air vehicles. HAV is one of three new partners joining the SATE project in Phase 2, which began in July 2022 and aims to build on the success of Phase 1. The SATE project, led by Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL), has created the UK’s first low-carbon aviation test centre embedded at a commercial airport.

HAV's Airlander aircraft is a revolutionary type of aircraft that makes use of a combination of helium, aerodynamic lift and vectored thrust. As part of the SATE consortium, HAV will demonstrate a wider range of sustainable aviation technologies that can provide better transport solutions for the Highlands and Islands region. The Airlander 10 would significantly cut emissions for travel in this region, where air travel is a lifeline, not a luxury. HAV is currently designing an all-electric variant of the Airlander, which will be a zero-carbon emissions aircraft scheduled to be operational by the end of the decade.

“SATE plays a key role in supporting HIAL’s environmental objective to decarbonise our airport operations and our long-term vision to become a net-zero carbon regional airport group. The addition of these new technology partners will help take us a step closer to real solutions for the future of sustainable aviation.”

Inglis Lyon Managing Director, HIAL

"We think of Airlander as the world’s most efficient large aircraft. It is a game- changer for regional air transportation. We are excited to demonstrate how our technology can contribute to a greener and more connected future in the Highlands and Islands and, in time, around the world. With the support of the SATE project and our fellow technology partners, we are confident that we can make a significant impact in advancing the next generation of air services in this wonderful part of Scotland."

Tom Grundy CEO, Hybrid Air Vehicles

“Cormorant looks forward to working with partners across the SATE programme. For a company such as ours, the opportunities from participation cannot be over-emphasised. SATE provides an ideal, practical developmental ecosystem with opportunities for working together such that Cormorant can progress toward realisation as a sustainable, air transport solution for remoter communities’ needs. Beyond this current, short-term project, we are looking to develop our flying proof-of-concept within the favourable development environment provided in Scotland – where significant market potential is apparent for Cormorant.”

Chris Rijff Managing Director, Cormorant SEAplanes Ltd

“We are very grateful for Innovate UK support via SATE. This project will enable ARC Aerosystems to demonstrate and test our UAV capabilities within CAA regulatory requirements. It will support in creating system proved flight evidence at the first stage of our UK flight trials. This will demonstrate end user cases to support the needs of rural Scotland such as mail deliveries, fisheries, oil and gas, windfarms with our eVTOL aircraft. ARC's mission is to connect communities and empower individuals via affordable, clean, fast, and accessible transportation.”

Dr Seyed Mohseni CEO, ARC Aerosystems

HAV is committed to showcasing the potential of sustainable aviation through the development and demonstration of innovative technologies. The addition of HAV to the SATE consortium will help bring a wider range of sustainable aviation technologies to the forefront and offer real solutions for the future of regional air transportation

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