An array of experts in a variety of aircraft technologies, from batteries to aerodynamics to photovoltaics, are gathering in Santa Rosa, Calif., for this week’s 7th annual CAFE electric-aircraft symposium. Representatives from NASA, IBM, Pipistrel, MIT, UCLA, and more, are convening to share the results of their latest research and contribute to creating the next generation of flight. “There’s a great deal of promise that we can have emissions-free airplanes,” event organizer Dr. Brien Seeley told AVweb on Thursday. General-aviation aircraft that are quiet, vibration-free, and easy to operate have “the potential to really proliferate,” he said. The meeting will be held Friday and Saturday.
The event has been growing every year since it started in 2007. “I think that’s because of the rapid progress being made in energy storage and battery technology,” said Seeley. The complete program for the event is posted online (PDF). Seeley spoke with AVweb‘s Mary Grady in Santa Rosa, with a preview of some of the topics that will be covered during the meeting. Click here to listen to the podcast, and watch for more video, podcasts, and news from the symposium on AVweb over the next few days.
