Foresight Aerospace is presenting its conference on Accelerating Sustainable Aviation and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) as a “live virtual conference” on May 19. The event, which had been due to be staged in London, will focus on multiple aspects of efforts to introduce electric-powered aircraft and implement new business models for moving people and things.

The agenda starts with a discussion of future aerospace policy and industrial strategy in a session led by Gary Cutts, challenge director for future flight with the British government’s UK Research and Innovation agency. This session will also feature Harriet Wollerton, program director of the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme, which is backed by UK industry association ADS, represented by head of innovation and engineering Sameer Savani.

The conference also promises updates on specific eVTOL aircraft programs, with companies represented including Jaunt Air Mobility, Vertical Aerospace, EHang, EmbraerX, and VRCO. There will also be presentations by developers of electric-, hybrid- and hydrogen-powered fixed-wing aircraft, including ZeroAvia, VoltAero, Faradair Aerospace, and H55. Rolls-Royce’s head of environmental technology, Adam Morton, will outline the engine maker’s plans to support moves toward carbon neutrality.

Addressing the latest regulatory and certification considerations will be the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s innovations services lead Frederic Laugere. Infrastructure requirements for urban air mobility will also be discussed, with speakers including the UK National Grid’s project director for decarbonization of transport, Graeme Cooper.

The conference also includes speakers from airlines that are looking to reduce the carbon footprint of their operations. The International Airlines Group’s head of sustainability, Jonathan Counsell, will provide an update on its Flightpath Net Zero project. Virgin Atlantic Airways chief operating officer Phil Mayer will address interconnected transport systems and seamless airport technology, along with Jenny Gardner, director of Saab Technologies’ UK innovation hub.

This story comes from FutureFlight.aero resource developed by AIN to provide objective, independent coverage of new aviation technology, including electric aircraft developments.