The collaboration project TakeOff focuses on building competence and increasing knowledge in electric aviation to achieve the goal of reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enabling a more environmentally friendly future for aviation.
"As the entire aviation ecosystem undergoes transformation, it's crucial to start working on competency supply early so that the emerging needs are met. Through the physical infrastructure established in the ELIS program at Skelleftea Airport, there's a unique opportunity to elevate the knowledge level through practical work in a real environment," says Annelie Viksten, business developer in the ELIS program.
The TakeOff project aims to promote knowledge, innovation, and development in areas such as electric aircraft and charging infrastructure at airports. By building competence and creating a robust charging infrastructure, the aim is to meet the needs for a future with electrified aviation.
In addition to striving for fossil-free aviation, the project also aims to strengthen collaboration between different sectors such as industry, society, and academia. By strengthening and leveraging interdisciplinary research and development, the project is expected to not only benefit the environment but also create new opportunities and promote innovation.
The long-term benefit of this project is to contribute to a fossil-free national aviation by electrifying the aviation industry while also strengthening overall competence and knowledge levels.
The three-year TakeOff project is a collaboration between Skellefteå Airport, Uppsala University, Luleå University of Technology, Science City Skellefteå, AirForestry, Transport Companies Aviation, with support from the Resilient Competence Center.
The project is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency.
ELIS program - Skellefteå Science City's development program for electric aviation - aims to become a leading hub for research and development of electrified aviation in Sweden and beyond.
The take-off and landing area and surrounding areas have now been paved with materials that significantly reduce climate impact. By using Asfalt Zero – a climate-smart asphalt made with pine oil – Skellefteå is setting an example for environmentally friendly infrastructure.
It started with an idea on a post-it note two years ago, and by the end of this year, the idea will become a reality. Skellefteå Droneport is one of the first droneports in Europe being built in an urban environment. The Droneport will be a physical space for development, research, education, and commercialization of drone-related solutions.
If everything goes according to plan, Skellefteå can make history in terms of electrified aviation. Here is the world's most sustainable pilot academy, a test bed for battery- and hydrogen-powered flights and soon one of Europe's largest droneports. The team at the ELIS program with Henrik Littorin, Magnus Wiklund and Annelie Viksten tell us more about the continued plans for electric flights in Skellefteå.