Article: Why fly electric? Stakeholder perceptions of e-plane knowledge, motivations and barriers Journal: International Journal of Sustainable Aviation (IJSA) 2022 Vol.8 No.4 pp.299 - 311 Abstract: Electric powered aircraft, or e-planes, have become a reality with improved battery performance and more lightweight aerodynamic airframes. Given this technical feasibility, attention is turned to the first target market, flight schools. What is the level of e-plane knowledge, trust and interest among key stakeholders, managers/owners, instructors, and student pilots? A survey of stakeholders was conducted with 186 respondents. All stakeholder groups identified battery limitations as the strongest barrier. In contrast, motivations to fly e-planes differed across stakeholder groups as managers and instructors rated cost reductions as their strongest motivation while students rated reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) as the strongest reason. Quieter operations and reduced accident risk were rated more highly by managers than other groups. Future research and the associated dissemination of results that validate stakeholder motivations and address barriers are critical to overcome knowledge gaps and support the adoption of e-planes. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Why fly electric? Stakeholder perceptions of e-plane knowledge, motivations and barriers

Authors: Paul Parker; Chelsea-Anne Edwards

Addresses: Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada ' Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada

Abstract: Electric powered aircraft, or e-planes, have become a reality with improved battery performance and more lightweight aerodynamic airframes. Given this technical feasibility, attention is turned to the first target market, flight schools. What is the level of e-plane knowledge, trust and interest among key stakeholders, managers/owners, instructors, and student pilots? A survey of stakeholders was conducted with 186 respondents. All stakeholder groups identified battery limitations as the strongest barrier. In contrast, motivations to fly e-planes differed across stakeholder groups as managers and instructors rated cost reductions as their strongest motivation while students rated reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) as the strongest reason. Quieter operations and reduced accident risk were rated more highly by managers than other groups. Future research and the associated dissemination of results that validate stakeholder motivations and address barriers are critical to overcome knowledge gaps and support the adoption of e-planes.

Keywords: electric aircraft; knowledge; benefits; barriers; stakeholder perceptions; flight schools; students; instructors; managers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSA.2022.126589

International Journal of Sustainable Aviation, 2022 Vol.8 No.4, pp.299 - 311

Received: 25 Apr 2022
Accepted: 10 Jun 2022
Published online: 28 Oct 2022 *

Title: Why fly electric? Stakeholder perceptions of e-plane knowledge, motivations and barriers

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