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LiT Nieuwsbrief #20

Welcome to the first newsletter of 2025. In this newsletter we look back on the latest developments which occured in the closing days of 2024 within our projects like the grant agreement for the LiT Venture Lab, the developments at subproject HAPSS, and the changes in subprojects Governance and Strengthening Ecosystem.

General updates

SAVE THE DATE: LiT Annual Event - 9 oktober 2025

After the successful first edition last October, preparations for the second edition are already in full swing. Mark October 9, 2025, in red in your calendar, as we look forward to welcoming you that day. More information about the location, theme, and program will follow soon, so be sure to keep an eye on the newsletter!

Projectupdates

Succesful finalization of the first phase of the Hydrogen Aircraft Powertrain and Storage Systems (HAPSS) project

The HAPSS project has reached a significant milestone with the successful completion of the initial research and design phase, as originally granted unconditionally by the National Growth Fund. Monday, September 30, 2024, marked the final day of the first funding period.

Swift Submission for Finalization
To ensure the continuity of the subproject, it was crucial to submit the subsidy finalization request as soon as possible. By conducting early consultations with all stakeholders, an efficient approach was ensured. External auditors were scheduled for the financial review, and with the Project Office and Government Project Team, the necessary information and forms for the finalization request were identified. Thanks to this thorough preparation, the formal handling of the request was equally efficient, resulting in the definitive finalization being received on December 19, 2024.

Successful Research and Design Phase
The first phase of HAPSS has produced a concept architecture with substantiation, demonstrating that a hydrogen fuel cell system integrated into an existing Dash8-300 aircraft is feasible. Furthermore, it was shown that the operational performance of the modified aircraft is still sufficient to transport passengers within a specific network of destinations.

Collaboration and Forward Thinking
The success of concluding this first funding period is thanks to the strong collaboration and forward-thinking mindset of all involved parties. The project team extends its gratitude to everyone for their cooperation and emphasizes that collaboration, foresight, and proactive action are essential to achieve the shortest possible lead times for complex processes without compromising quality. Maintaining momentum is also critical to fully and timely achieving the ambitious objectives of the LiT program.

Presentation Flying Vision Accelerator for students

Victor Rijkaart recently engaged with students from TU Delft and HvA, sharing insights about LiT and the Flying Vision Accelerator project. He reflected on his experiences for the newsletter:

“The collaborations that TU Delft undertakes often focus on scientists and their research—and rightly so, as there are relevant studies being conducted in incredibly diverse fields, especially in sustainable aviation. As a connector, I represent TU in multiple projects and boards. The synergy of these connections during my work for Rotterdam The Hague Innovation Airport, Aerospace Innovation Hub, and Flying Vision Accelerator for Aviation in Transition is evident," said Victor.

"Involving aerospace engineering students is particularly important alongside scientific collaboration. After all, they are the emerging talent who, let’s face it, will truly realize and experience the transition to sustainable air transport. That’s why I seize opportunities to exchange ideas with students about sustainability whenever possible."

This month, Victor had two such opportunities. First, TU Delft’s Greenteam Aerospace Engineering invited him to present, where he outlined the plans for LiT and the Flying Vision Accelerator.

Additionally, Victor led a plenary session at the 20th Aviation Management Conference organized by Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences students. The session focused on "Seamless Collaboration," and LiT played a central role in his message to nearly 200 students and faculty.

Victor noted, “When I asked who was unfamiliar with LiT, several hands were raised. After this conference, we’ve definitely increased awareness of LiT and the opportunities it offers!”

– Victor Rijkaart, Flying Vision Accelerator

First consortium meeting for Human Capital Agenda a great success

On Wednesday, December 18, the first consortium meeting for the "Human Capital Agenda" (HCA) project took place at Teuge International Airport. All partners from the College of Aviation Education Stakeholders (CvBLO) were invited to familiarize themselves with each other and the work packages.

The meeting began with an introduction round, followed by a presentation from project leader Mathijn Korf, who shared more about Aviation in Transition and its goals, as well as the significant role of the HCA project within it.

After this introduction, the work package leaders took the stage to pitch their respective work packages. Each presentation covered the activities, expected outcomes, costs, and partner involvement, along with a forward look at milestones for 2025. Additionally, each leader highlighted the resources required to achieve these milestones.

The event concluded with roundtable discussions on the following topics:

• National labor market monitoring and coordination
• Attracting and retaining top talent
• Retaining and developing top talent

During these discussions, attendees and work package leaders delved deeper into the themes and explored opportunities for collaboration. With over 25 participants, the first consortium meeting was a resounding success.

Upcoming events

* For more events about aviation, please advise the NAG-event calendar!

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