As JETPEL we are an active member in the aviation network:
ASTM International (ASTM)
Member in a work group for standards on hybrid-electric powertrains for aviation
North Rhine-Westphalia Aerospace Industries Network (AeroSpace.NRW)
Member of the Strategy Advisory Board
Strong partnerships with development and production specialists as well as research corporations.
RWTH Aachen University
Cooperation Partner of the Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery
Research project with partners from industry and science:
E-SAT – Development and integration of an electro-hybrid powertrain for the Silent Air Taxi
The research project is funded by the European Union and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia: European Regional Development Fund (Europäischer Fonds für regionale Entwicklung – EFRE) 2014-2020.
In the E-SAT project, the development of an extremely quiet small aircraft with hybrid drive is being promoted, which will connect regional centers and rural areas directly as an “air taxi” and will significantly reduce travel times. The necessary infrastructure is already in place: most people in Germany live and work less than 25 km from the nearest airport. Small aircraft as a means of transport also ideally complement urban electromobility. However, the establishment of a market for regional air mobility requires small aircraft that are significantly quieter, more comfortable and cheaper than the models of established manufacturers. This is exactly what the project consortium of Aachen companies and universities is addressing with the development of the electro-hybrid Silent Air Taxi (E-SAT), an innovative four-seater small aircraft with a range of 1,200 km and a cruising speed of 300 km/h.
Key is the quiet powertrain: as part of the project, an electro-hybrid drive system is being developed with a unique propulsion system using multi-blade fans. The powertrain will be so quiet that people living near the airport will practically not be able to hear the aircraft acoustically. This is made possible by the operational flexibility of the electro-hybrid drive technology and state-of-the-art lightweight construction in combination with sophisticated aerodynamics. Aim of the project is to develop a series product that can be certified for commercial aviation and to validate its functions. This also includes the design of the corresponding production facilities for the companies based in NRW. The E-SAT project not only lays the foundation for an environmentally friendly regional air transport system, but it also supports structural change and strengthens NRW as a business location.
JETPEL contributes the preliminary design of the Silent Air Taxi to the E-SAT research project, which is used as basis to develop an electro-hybrid and particularly low-noise powertrain. In addition to key topics such as mechanical and electrical power transmission and thermal management, JETPEL accompanies and steers the research project through comprehensive certification and production-oriented monitoring of the work of the other research partners. JETPEL is also developing a holistic production concept for all main components as well as a comprehensive and certification-compliant production concept for the powertrain.
Project Partner
- ENGIRO GmbH
- e.SAT GmbH
- FH Aachen – University of Applied Sciences
- Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT
- Helix Carbon GmbH
- RWTH Aachen University