#36 Charting a New Aviation Future (feat. Dr Paul Hodgson, Aviation Impact Accelerator)

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Episode 36 of the “Aerospace Ambition Podcast” featuring Dr Paul Hodgson (Aviation Impact Accelerator) is out!

Talking Points

• Aviation Impact Accelerator: Paul explains how they’re bridging academia and industry for a sustainable aviation future.
• Four Big Goals: We break down the report’s essential goals for aviation by 2025.
• Contrail Avoidance: Urgency around large-scale trials could help rapidly cut contrail climate impact.
• Living Labs: Can real-world trials with high flight participation reduce contrail uncertainty?
• Sustainable Fuel: We discuss the potential of truly scalable, cross-sector low-carbon fuel production.
• Energy Impact: Why policy must consider aviation’s effects on wider electricity grids and fuel sources.
• Additionality: Verifying SAF energy sourcing as renewable demand rises is crucial for climate goals.
• Policy Motivation: How should we balance incentives and penalties to drive sustainable aviation?

Guest

Dr. Paul Hodgson is the Technical Director of the Aviation Impact Accelerator or AIA. A chemical engineer by training, he joined the AIA in 2020, before which he completed an online MBA, and co-founded a hydrogen distribution start-up as CTO. Paul's earlier research—on carbon capture in cement/steel and innovations in biofuel production—has become increasingly relevant to climate-neutral aviation. He continues to teach process modeling and synthesis as a lecturer and Bye-Fellow at Churchill College, Cambridge.

Relevant Studies

• Aviation Impact Accelerator, University of Cambrigde: Five Years to Chart a New Future for Aviation, September 2024 (https://report.aiazero.org/)
• Finlay Asher, Safe Landing, Expert Talk: ‘Five Years to Chart a New Future for Aviation,’ 03 October 2024 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Z24ej4oSU)