Q&A

 

During the first event, several questions were asked. These questions are summarized below. Is your question not on the list? Let us know!

 

Q: Can master and PhD students participate?
A: Yes, all students and PhD candidates are welcome to join the X-Prize!

Q: Can idea proposals comprise of designing both the exterior and interior of the aircraft (system wise)?
A: For the X-Prize we’re mostly focusing on experiments that can be performed with the Pipistrel Velis Electro Aircraft. Or studies that relate to optimization or improvement of de Velis or its operation. Unfortunately, applying system changes to the interior or exterior of the aircraft currently cannot be pursued due to certification restrictions.

Q: Will the presentations held on the 22^nd of April be uploaded online?
A: Yes, the recordings of the presentation held during the kick-off event on the 22^nd of April will be shared with the participants of the event.

Q: How big is the scope, like how far into sustainability can we go?
A: Although we should always dream big, realistically we first have to improve the current status quo of sustainable aviation in order to get to our dream. Therefore, the current scope of the X-Prize is based on experiments with the current version of the Pipistrel Velis Electro to get that to leap forward. Subjects one might think of could be the ones that Tine from Pipistrel mentioned in his keynote: infrastructure, airspace, simplified pilot licences, isolation materials, software certification methods, battery life, ultrafast charging, etc.

Q: Does the scope include the required infrastructure initiatives? Can you include infrastructure ideas as well? So for example battery swap ideas?
A: Yes, next to flight performance and flight operations aspects, the scope of the X-Prize also involves ground operations.

Q: Will tests with the Pipistrel take place at NLR’s location in Marknesse?
A: Currently the Pipistrel is stationed at Rotterdam The Hague Airport, but in the near future NLR Marknesse will also be able to facilitate the Pipistrel.

Q: How many redundancy systems are required, like is there a specific number in mind. Like backup for example if a battery fails to work or something goes wrong?
A: The current Pipistrel contains one energy system containing two battery packs that is specifically designed, qualified and certified for the Pipistrel only. In the Velis philosophy the two battery packs are designed to provide redundancy as, limited flight continuation can be performed on one of the two packs in case of need. Unfortunately, in research proposals for the Pipistrel applying system changes to the interior or exterior of the aircraft currently cannot be pursued due to certification restrictions.

Q: Can we propose any software solutions in terms of conceptual aircraft design and preliminary sizing?
A: Although solutions in terms of conceptual aircraft design and preliminary sizing are definitely of interest for design optimization. Bear in mind that testing new designs on the aircraft itself will not be in scope for this X-Prize due to the certification restrictions. However, measurements to support your research are allowed (e.g. aerodynamic measurements).