The 2020 Revolution.Aero Europe conference in London (March 17-18) will once again bring together companies focused on new technology and business models aimed at transforming business and personal aviation. Much of the agenda is focused on so-called urban air mobility and the new wave of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft being developed to support the integration of air taxi operations into mass transportation networks. The event also addresses efforts to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint in response to concerns about the industry’s long-term environmental sustainability.

Among the eVTOL start-ups due to speak are Volocopter, Lilium, Joby Aviation, ZeroAvia, and Wisk (the new joint venture between Boeing and Kitty Hawk). They will be joined by several of the established aviation groups already actively supporting new aircraft programs, including Honeywell, Collins Aerospace, BAE Systems, and Rohde & Schwarz.

The conference will assess the potential of both electricity and hydrogen as power sources for aviation, while also considering the case for sustainable aviation fuel and making better use of jet-A fuel. Speakers on these topics will include representatives from battery technology pioneer Oxis Energy, Air BP, and Rolls-Royce.

The other key technology topics for the event will be autonomous flight, new manufacturing techniques, and alternative aerodynamic concepts, such as plasma blended wings. The conference will also discuss whether supersonic air transportation will ever achieve its long-anticipated comeback.

The urban air mobility sector’s ground infrastructure needs will be considered by specialists from Uber Elevate, Arup, and Swanson Aviation. Topics will include how cities can be engaged in establishing this new mode of air transportation and how needs such as electric charging can be met.

In the first instance, money is a key requirement for fuelling aviation’s would be market disruptors. This is reflected in the Revolution.Aero agenda with key contributions from leading investment groups such as DiamondStream Partners, JetBlue Technology Ventures, CitiGroup, and Boeing HorizonX. The event will also feature the Pitch@Revolution competition in which start-up business cases are assessed by expert judges and the audience.