More than 40 of the world’s leading electric aircraft developers and technology experts will be speaking at the 17th Annual Electric Aircraft Symposium (EAS), hosted by the Vertical Flight Society (VFS). The event will once again be held online and in person in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on July 22–23, 2023 — the weekend prior to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture 2023.
EAS is the world’s longest-running electric aviation technology meeting. It’s organized by industry and government leaders of advanced air mobility (AAM) to provide updates to the community and the public.
A special feature this year is a panel organized to support the US government’s AAM Interagency Working Group. This session features the Honorable Annie Petsonk, Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, US Department of Transportation (DOT), and Peter Irvine, Deputy Director, Office of Aviation Analysis, and Executive Lead for Aviation Policy, DOT. Other panelists include speakers from DOT, NASA and the US Air Force AFWERX unit.
Other participating companies and organizations this year include AeroTEC, Archer, Beta Technologies, Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI), Diamond Aircraft, Hydroplane, Joby Aviation, Jetson Aero, Lilium, Limosa, LuftCar, Opener, Overair, SkyDrive, Textron eAviation, Wisk, Whisper Aero, ZeroAvia and ZEVA.
EAS is hosted by VFS, the leading educational non-profit organization working on electric aircraft technology development. The focus of EAS is on technological advancements and addressing major issues like certification and infrastructure for the industry as a whole.
“Many of the world’s leading electric aviation developers spoke or attended the Electric Aircraft Symposium over the past 16 years before they became widely know,” observes Yolanka Wulff, Executive Director of the Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI) and one of the event organizers.
EAS is a hybrid event, held at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus at the air-conditioned Culver Family Welcome Center, and online. The program will run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm CDT on Saturday and Sunday with six sessions both days. Each moderated panel session will include a Q&A discussion with presenters and attendees — a hallmark of the annual Electric Aircraft Symposium.
This year’s EAS will present experts from industry and government, participating in 12 in-depth moderated panel discussions covering the full spectrum of topics, including community integration, electric aircraft developments, personal/private AAM aircraft, propulsion (including hydrogen-electric), regional air mobility, testing and standards development.
“The electric aircraft industry is gaining momentum with investments topping $10B in the past five years. EAS provides an opportunity to get comprehensive updates on the state of the industry and hear from top AAM thought leaders,” said VFS Executive Director Angelo Collins.
EAS is always an ideal opportunity to hear what’s happening in the different AAM segments from industry and government leaders. The program is developed by experts in the AAM industry and captures the latest opportunities and challenges.
For example, in the past 18 months, market leaders like Textron bought Pipistrel, Diamond launched the eDA40 trainers, Piper partnered with CAE to retrofit the PA-28 Warrior, Tier 1 Engineering made a record e-R44 electric helicopter flight, and hybrid-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell powered regional aircraft have begun flight testing.
“It’s wonderful to arrive in Oshkosh and meet industry leaders and peers and team of the latest technology, market and certification developments before moving on to AirVenture the next day,” said Ken Swartz, principal of Aeromedia and member of the VFS Board of Directors. “More and more companies and individuals work on or are interested in electric aircraft and AAM are attending EAA AirVenture, as electrification extends into the ultralight, experimental and general aviation sectors, and EAS brings it all together.”
The cost of the two-day symposium ranges from $150 for virtual participants to $245 for in-person attendees. There is also a special virtual-only option for VFS student members of only $25. Details on the agenda, registration and sponsorships are posted at: www.vtol.org/eas.
The development of innovative battery-electric, hybrid-electric and hydrogen-electric propulsion systems coupled with electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) and electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) aircraft designs promises to significantly reduce air transportation costs and enable new AAM markets, while helping the aviation industry achieve its ambitious sustainability goals.
