Are electric planes a new trend for the aviation sector in India? A new opportunity for aeronautical engineers!

Aeronautical engineering holds the first position in innovation, making new upgrades in aircraft designs, new techniques for making aircraft, and advanced technologies. The aviation sector is discerning the transformative changes supported by technological advancements, sustainability measures, and trailing efficiency and safety.

There is a new move towards more clean, efficient power systems. The research emphasizes hybrid-electric and full-electric techniques for aircraft, promising reduced emissions of gases, minimized operating costs, and silent flights. Innovation in the engine designs of aircraft and alternative fuel options motivates the new trend for environmentally friendly and sustainable change.

Changing the aviation sector:

• The aviation sector is changing daily according to the requirements of the customers, and the aircraft are crafted in such a way that they give comfort and reliability to the customers. Aeronautical engineers are now again looking for leisure trip bounds and also designing aircraft on such a basis that it gives benefits to the customers as well as the climate.
• The new initiative by the government on sustainability is being accepted by the engineers, and the innovation of “electric plants” is being introduced.
• With the idea of restraining air travel’s global greenhouse gas emissions, companies in the aviation sector are now looking for electric planes. However, the latest analysis states that electric aircraft can only take a load of up to 12 passengers while covering a distance of 30 kilometers.
• The main basic concern lies in the battery. The developers are trying to increase the capacity of the battery by maximizing its energy with limited space and a smaller size. 

Why is India lagging behind on the new opportunities?

• Israel was the first country to launch the electric plane, and recently, Vermont-based company Beta Technologies launched its electric plane to analyze the distance and weight an electric plane can cover. Why can’t India be the one to make this innovation? India is still in its approval stages, and no sooner will production start.
• This is a new opportunity for aeronautical engineers, as the innovation now takes place in India as well.
• India still needs new engineers who can help in the development of electric aircraft.

Benefit to nature: green gas emission

• The aircraft use rich-carbon fossil fuels to power their engines and this, as a result, affects climate change. There are many reasons for climate change but the use of fossil fuels becomes the most prominent and primary reason. Thus, greenhouse gas emissions in the aviation sector are necessary. 
• Aircraft are unique because they give off these gases at higher altitudes in the atmosphere. As per the Civil Aviation Authority, the research says that these gases react differently when they are given off at higher altitudes than at ground level.
• Currently, the UK’s aviation sector makes up almost 7% of its total greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that by 2050, it could make a quarter as other industries find more sustainable ways of working.

Government assistance to aviation sector

• The Civil Aviation Ministry has taken steps to recruit and train ATCOs to cope with the increasing demand for air traffic management services.
• The ePlane Company, based in Chennai, becomes the first Indian electric aircraft firm to receive Design Organization Approval from DGCA.
• The ministry passed rules and regulations that removed the concept of airport royalty (revenue share payment by FTOs to the Airports Authority of India) and significantly rationalized land rentals.
• The country faced a shortage of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs). In response, the ministry approved the creation of 456 more posts for ATCOs in April 2023.
• So, the ministry is recruiting and opening new lines for aeronautical engineers in the aviation sector. 

Global competence

• Globally, the aviation sector is widely increasing and developing, and so is India. There are many new opportunities for the students of aerospace and aeronautical engineering, and this results in a good career opportunity for the engineers. 
• India still lags behind with innovation, which requires new minds, and this therefore creates a need for aeronautical engineers.

Continuous growth

• The aviation sector will have innovations and will be in need and existence for the coming future as well, so it is a continuous growth and development for the aeronautical engineers. So, it becomes a new opportunity for all the aeronautical engineers, which is good news for aerospace technology