This new collaboration gives Post Doctorate students keen to enter the aviation industry the opportunity to apply for an exciting aerospace research and development role in Wales. In addition, existing students will be tasked with problem solving as part of an actual new aircraft development programme, as opposed to simple theory for ‘what if’ scenarios.

The office will open with the new intake of students in September 2017 and will become a key part of the multi-role, 6-8 seat BEHA (Bio Electric Hybrid Aircraft) development programme. Combining latest technologies with innovation, BEHA’s unique design and hybrid propulsion system will not only revolutionise urban flying through reduced operational costs and the considerable reduction in noise and emissions pollution, but it will also serve a number of alternative roles including unmanned operations, light cargo, patrol, tourism and regional air taxi duties. Dr Evans was appointed Chief Aerodynamicist for Faradair® earlier this year.

“We are thrilled to announce this partnership with Swansea University,” says Neil Cloughley, Managing Director, Faradair® Aerospace Limited. “We have been so impressed with the Swansea Bay campus, its new facilities and most importantly the enthusiasm that Dr Evans and all the team members in the aerospace engineering department have for our new aircraft project.”

He continues: “We have been extremely fortunate to secure a truly fantastic group of partners including PRODRIVE, Avidyne Corporation, Veale Wasbrough Vizards and now Swansea University, placing us in the perfect position to begin the ‘scale-up’ process of support so often described and offered by politicians and local Government.”

Dr Ben Evans says “Having worked for the best part of a decade on aerodynamic simulation and design optimisation for the BLOODHOUND SSC Land Speed Record vehicle; it is now a real privilege to be involved in the Faradair BEHA design. The technology and lessons learnt from designing BLOODHOUND are now being applied to this ground-breaking new bio-electric aircraft.  The Faradair® BEHA has the potential to revolutionise the aerospace sector with capabilities never seen before from an aircraft of this size.  I, along with my team, at Swansea University’s College of Engineering look forward to continued collaboration with Faradair® as we take the BEHA from concept design through to flight testing over the next couple of years.” 

Mr Cloughley continues “This new R&D facility at Swansea University will enable Faradair® to fine tune the BEHA aircraft design and deliver the performance profile needed for the prototype aircraft prior to its maiden flight in 2020. We envisage this office will grow over the next two years, creating employment opportunity within Wales as the BEHA program develops”.

To find out more about this exciting aviation project visit www.faradair.com

Faradair can also be found at: www.facebook.com/Faradair and Twitter @Faradair