Electric seaplanes for zero-carbon tourism

How does one design an aircraft for zero-carbon tourism and humanitarian missions in one of the most
beautiful but ecologically fragile places in the world? OLIVIA TOMLINSON explains how a Loughborough
University student design team took on the challenge of sustainable aviation in the Maldives.

As part of a final year project, 13 MEng Aeronautical Engineering finalists from Loughborough University
(team Abeona) were tasked with designing a solution to relieve some of the pressing transport issues
experienced within the Maldives. Due to its remote nature and lack of infrastructure, this posed quite a
challenge. The final concept was an all-electric, low-emission seaplane which can be used in both the
tourism and medical sectors due to its convertible cabin. The aircraft was named the Yellowfin, a tribute
to the Maldives’ national animal – the yellowfin tuna.

The challenge

Twin Otters are flown by Trans-Maldivian Airways. (Trans-Maldivian Airways.)

The Republic of Maldives (the Maldives), is an archipelago state located southwest of India, consisting of
200 inhabited islands and 80 tourist resorts [1] grouped into 20 natural atolls. The current transport
system utilises a fleet of 57 de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otters, operated by Trans-Maldivian Airways
(TMA), as well as boats and ferries. (see https://www.aerosociety.com/news/seaplane-paradise/)
However, these can be unreliable, particularly in bad weather, and only operate during daylight hours.
Through group research we found that it has become increasingly apparent that this is becoming
inadequate for the needs of the Maldives. The Maldivian tourism industry is expanding but the transport
system has not evolved with it, becoming dated. The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed short-comings in
the transportation of patients and medical equipment. In a country with an above-average number of
Beta-thalassaemia patients, efficient transport is essential.

An all-electric Grumman Goose for the 21st century? (Abeona)

As a result, the student team developed a concept for a multi-use aircraft, the Yellowfin, to suit the
needs of both the tourism and medical sectors. The Yellowfin is an all-electric aircraft, with an entry-to-
service date of 2035, and has been designed to align with the ACARE Flightpath 2050 targets, reducing
Abeona’s emissions contribution. The Yellowfin has a cruise speed of 275km/h at an altitude of 5000ft,
with a design range of 300km on one charge. It also has a flexible interior, meaning it can be easily
adapted to suit the operator needs, with removable seats and hardpoints for medical equipment. The
primary use of the Yellowfin will be in the tourism industry but, outside of the main tourism season
(November to April), medical transport will serve as a secondary use, increasing revenue for operators.
With a capacity of six passengers, the Yellowfin can reduce the wait times associated with seaplane
transfers in the Maldives, which has arisen due to the high usage of the Twin Otters.

LIDAR for 24hr operations

LIDAR would allow 24hr, expanded weather operations. (Abeona)

Detailed design from the team has resulted in a competitive aircraft with an advanced navigation suite
and LIDAR allowing for safe water landings at night. Lithium-sulphur batteries power the Yellowfin and
offer a much higher energy density compared to competitors. The landing gear consists of two sets of
hydrofoils, allowing for a significant drag reduction during take-off when compared to traditional
seaplane float landing gear. The aircraft structures team designed the structures to give a high factor of
safety over all flight phases, and the aerodynamic surfaces were designed to ensure stability in all
configurations.

As part of this project, the Abeona team also developed a comprehensive business plan as if the aircraft
were to be integrated into the Maldives and sold to operators. During the first five years, operator
feedback will be utilised to update the aircraft, ensuring it satisfies operator needs and remains a
competitive solution within the Maldives. Initially, it is intended that Yellowfin will be adopted by
current and new seaplane operators, and potentially receive funding and support from the
governmental bodies within the Maldives, particularly for humanitarian and essential missions. This will
increase the appeal of the Yellowfin to operators, as they will be able to open new revenue streams.
With multiple years of experience in the Maldives, Abeona would then look to expand into other
archipelago regions, such as Canada or the Philippines. The Yellowfin would be marketed as aiming to
solve similar transport system issues that arise due to the geographical similarities between these
countries.

Once the Yellowfin is well established in each region, Abeona’s plan would be to work with operators to
implement an ‘air taxi’ system, operated via an app or website. This would allow both tourists and
residents to easily book cheap transfers between islands, without having to wait for scheduled flights or
boats. The Yellowfin is particularly suited for this use, due to its small passenger capacity of six.

Leasing the batteries and recycling composites

Yellowfin would include a number of technological innovations - such as hydrofoils, LIDAR and advanced
composites. (Abeona)

The team also noted potential issues in terms of short battery lifetime and the negative outlook
associated on waste from the aviation industry. As a result, a battery lease scheme will also be
implemented to increase Abeona’s income. After the battery packs on each aircraft deteriorate past
suitability for use (expected to take a minimum of five years), they can be leased to third-parties as high-
capacity electricity storage solutions. One potential customer could be the resorts and hotels operating
in the Maldives, which currently use diesel generators to meet their power demands. With the
Maldivian government pushing for an increase in usage of renewable energy [2], the used battery packs
could help resorts transition to renewables by smoothing the demand on natural sources. For example,
the pack could store solar power during the day, and release it during the night. The batteries could also
be leased back to Yellowfin operators, as fast-charging stations for the aircraft. This would increase their
utilisation of the Yellowfin and allow both Abeona and the operators to move towards net-zero carbon
operations.
Another major issue within the aviation industry is the waste generated from carbon fibre components
which have been notoriously difficult to recycle, therefore when carbon fibre components reach their
end-of-life, operators could participate in a component ‘buyback’ scheme, selling components back to
Abeona (bypassing the Maldives current fee for scrapping [3]). These will be broken down by solvolysis,
after which Abeona could resell the raw materials to third parties. Alternatively, the raw materials could
be used to reinforce and repair existing aircraft.

Further work

Cutaway of the all-electric Yellowfin concept. (Abeona)

The team have identified some limitations of the Yellowfin’s design. The relatively small design range of
300km means that some resorts are inaccessible from the main international transport hub in Malé and
the Yellowfin would be unable to operate return journeys from some resorts without additional
infrastructure. Another limitation is the requirement for regulatory change and development in the
Maldives. Although the Yellowfin’s LiDAR system offers a similar accuracy to a CAT III Autoland, night
water landings would still be prohibited under current legislation. Furthermore, the Maldives currently
produces much of its electricity using diesel generators, so an all-electric aircraft may not be as viable or
as environmentally friendly as hoped, without a shift to renewable energy generation.

The team have also identified some further work to be completed on the Yellowfin includes more in-
depth interior design to maximise passenger comfort and ease of use for aircrew; greater definition of
the control systems used in the FMS; and the detailed design of drag-reducing geometries, such as wing-
fuselage fairings. Furthermore, work could be completed on the ‘air taxi’ platform, to serve as a proof of
concept before the scheme would be pitched to operators as outlined in the long-term business plan.
However, it is believed that even in its current guise, the Abeona Yellowfin would be a viable solution to
existing problems in the Maldivian transport supersystem, while also having a positive impact on the
economy and assisting the government in achieving their environmental targets.

Summary

Model and poster of the Yellowfin student design project. (Abeona)

As mentioned, this has been a purely conceptual student project. Abeona is made up of a group of 13
Aeronautical Engineering finalists from Loughborough University who have completed this design
project as part of their final year. The model and poster produced by the team are shown above. We
would like to thank the Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering for supporting and
facilitating this project, in particular the lecturers who have helped over the year! As a group, we are
extremely proud of the Yellowfin design and our achievements over the last year.

Bibliography
[1] Lux* Resorts and Hotels, "Discover the Maldives," Lux*, 2021. [Online]. Available. [Accessed 08 May
2021].
[2] "World Data - Energy Consumption on the Maldives," [Online]. Available.
[3] S. Job, G. Leeke, P. Mativenga , G. Oliveux, S. Pickering and N. Shuaib, "Composites recycling: Where
are we now?," Composites UK Ltd.