OCAVIA - Oxford-Cambridge Arc virtual institute for aviation

Within 15 years airports globally will be operating a wide range of propulsion systems, Aerospace developments have evolved into linear processes “presented” as a fait accompli to airlines, airports and operators of airspace. The global aviation sector has to move from 2-3% CO2 emissions to zero emissions within 30 years. This enormous transformation will only be achieved through wholesale transformation, end to end, bottom to top, top to bottom. The proposed Virtual Institute, OCAVIA, will execute research and develop in support of this transformation. This approach towards making the UK a leader in the delivery of zero carbon flight to deliver Sustainable Aviation is an R&D-led whole-systems approach, involving an industry advisory board, five universities, TWI and London Luton Airport.

Chaired by Prof Iain Gray CBE with Ruth Mallors-Ray OBE as Project Leader OCAVIA is a priority project for the Oxford to Cambridge Arc, playing a leading role in developing the UK’s capabilities, with the goal of having zero carbon flight within a generation.

Professor Iain Gray, who is Chairing this theme, said: “All of us across the industry are committed to doing our bit to cut emissions in order to tackle the threat of climate change. We do not know yet what is fully possible in terms of transitioning all aviation to zero-emission flight but we do know that short-haul, particularly island hopping, looks achievable quickly.

“In order to achieve zero emission across all aviation, we are going to need the same commitment, resource and dedication that the US showed when President Kennedy committed their nation to landing a person on the moon within a decade. Will we get there? I think we will. Zero emission flight has the backing of Government, industry and academia, who are all coming together in a way I have not seen before. The question should be not whether we will do it, but how long will it take?”

Towards Sustainable Aviation: How can the Arc Universities work together to reimagine the future of aviation? from Arc Universities Group on Vimeo.