EADA Strategic Plan Summary

EADA Mission / Purpose: As an organization supported by an international alliance of electric flight stakeholders, EADA’s mission is to advance the development of electric flight, and to foster and promote the general welfare, safety, interests and activities of electric aviation.

EADA Goals, Strategies and Objectives:

Goal 1. Standards and Regulatory Issues – to ensure that appropriate standards and government regulations are in place to help the industry to move forward.

Strategy: The electric aircraft industry will benefit from “being in control of its own destiny.” Thus, the sooner the industry comes together to work on standards, the more influence it will have on the ultimate regulations that are put in place. Because the nascent electric aircraft industry is developing on several continents at once, it is important to have world-wide participation in this process.

Objective 1. Ensure that safety is always the primary consideration.

Objective 2. Develop voluntary industry standards that will forward the industry globally.

Objective 3. Work with the FAA to incorporate these standards into US regulations.

  • Work with FAA on submittal of “Petition for Proposed Rule Change” to allow electric propulsion for LSA. Target date end of 2012

Objective 4. Work with industry members in other countries to incorporate these
standards into their respective regulatory frameworks.

Goal 1 2011 Action Items –

  • Partner with ASTM to begin work on standards and data collection for electric aircraft
  • Create advisory committee on standards

 

Goal 2. Advocacy – to assist in obtaining technology funding and support for the industry.

Strategy: To obtain funding and support, the electric aircraft industry needs to work with elected officials and government agencies as an industry. For example, currently the electric aircraft industry does not have access to the battery technology being developed by the Department of Energy, nor does it have access to funding. DOE has stated that it will not work with individual companies, but needs to see the industry come together in order to provide it with funding and technology.

Objective 1. Work with DOE to obtain funding for technology, symposia and
partnerships

Objective 2. Work with Congressional leaders to promote the development of manned
electric flight.

Objective 3. Work with other industry groups relevant to electric flight

Goal 2 2011 Action Item –

  • Work with DOE to change language in legislation and guidelines to include electric aircraft in the definition of “vehicle” in order to gain access to government funding and research.

Goal 3. Promotion and Networking – to provide communications, strategies and opportunities that support industry growth and success.

Strategy: In order to be successful, the electric aircraft industry needs promotion both within aviation and to the general public. This promotion requires careful
communications and messaging. In order to grow as an industry, the stakeholders need the opportunity to come together with each other, with investors, and with the general public.

Objective 1. Develop 5 year strategy to launch the electric aircraft industry in a
commercially viable way.

  • Develop understanding of the market, the technical challenges and the players through research and stakeholder interviews
  • Aggregate and communicate electric flight technical data in a standard format
  • Develop a marketing plan

Objective 2. Develop industry messaging that reflects the industry’s priorities and
promotes the industry’s growth.

  • Ensure that safety is a top priority
  • Develop a communication plan that incorporates messaging and education

Objective 3. Provide opportunities for industry networking.

  • Share knowledge while respecting IP to allow competition
  • Align investors and industry leaders with quality opportunities to support developments in electric flight
  • Host events such as industry meetings and symposia

Objective 4. Public education. Promote the benefits of electric flight to the general public.

  • Host symposia and events
  • Develop and disseminate media content
  • Work with partner universities to develop curriculum

Goal 3 2011 Action Items –

  • Hold next industry meeting in conjunction with ASTM F37 Committee meeting in Tampa November 2-3, 2011
  • Create advisory committee on communications
  • Attend NASA CAFÉ Green Flight Challenge in Santa Rosa Sept 24–Oct 3, 2011