Engine technology is a specialism of the Berlin-Brandenburg region. Close proximity and collaboration of scientific and industrial players means that the capital region is well positioned to take a solution-oriented approach to tackling the challenges of developing low emission aircraft engines and decisively advance the technology. Driven by the common interest in establishing hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion systems as an outstanding competency in the Berlin-Brandenburg region, collaboration between regional players has truly intensified with the formation of the IBEFA alliance and the development of the IBEFA concept.

Further development of IBEFA into a competency region for low emission flight

In order to establish Berlin and Brandenburg as a competency region for low emission aircraft propulsion systems, further projects with a variety of sub-goals must be worked on.

A key element of this is the creation of a centre that is focussed on this goal - “ZE2FA - Centre for the Development of Low Emission Aircraft Engines”. This technology centre is to function as a technical and organisation platform for close collaboration between businesses, research institutions, universities, education and training institutions, as well as for the implementation of projects.

The “Consortium for Innovative Low Emission Airfield Strategies for Regional Air Traffic (KIFER)” represents a further platform that complements the IBEFA project to do work on the “Airport of the Future”. Further information on the KIFER sub-project can be found at www.bbaa.de/kifer.

IBEFA objectives also include measures for technology transfer, supporting new startups, and adapting education and further training in new disciplines.

The figure shows how other project are grouped around the IBEFA WIR! project. The sub-projects are to be coordinated by IBEFA in order to ensure work is coordinated and sufficiently comprehensive and to enable the best possible outcomes in the further development of activities for developing low emission flight.

Existing regional competencies

The profile of the aviation industry in the capital region is shaped by large international players Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd. & Co. KG in Dahlewitz and MTU-Maintenance in Ludwigsfelde. These companies develop and manufacture, test, and maintain conventional jet engines.

Alongside these, several manufacturers of small general aviation aircraft have established themselves in Brandenburg. The IBEFA region also hosts aviation suppliers, providers of testing, maintenance and overhaul services, engineering firms, airfields with aircraft servicing operations and numerous flight schools.

The region is also home to well-known universities and research institutes offering research opportunities and comprehensive degree programmes in aviation engineering. These include the Technische Universität Berlin, the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, the Wildau Technical University of Applied Sciences, as well as the German Aerospace Center (DLR). There has been a link between the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and Rolls-Royce for more than ten years. They established the first German “UTC Rolls-Royce University Technology Center” to ensure more intensive collaboration across various fields. The Technische Universität Berlin is home to the Aerospace Institute that focussed on aircraft construction, aerodynamics, flight mechanics and aircraft propulsion. The Wildau University of Applied Sciences offers degree programmes in aviation engineering and logistics. There are also further institutions for dual study programmes in aviation as well as for qualification and further training.