Aero Friedrichshafen 2022 focuses on sustainability in aviation

Aero Friedrichshafen opens its doors from 27-30 April 2022 at the Messe Friedrichshafen on the shore of Lake Constance in southern Germany.

Can you share some insights into the specialists and industry commentators you’ve invited to present and discuss the latest developments in general aviation? 

Aero is expanding – it’s not just Friedrichshafen and South Africa, but in 2023 we hope to have our first show in Asia at Zhuhai in China. It was planned for March 2022 but postponed to next year. Friedrichshafen has good transport links being close to the international borders of Austria and Switzerland, and near to Italy.

We always have a big and full line-up for the four days in 12 halls and two conference areas, with three stages open to the public on top of the conference rooms.

The hottest topic this year is sustainability. Everyone in helicopters and GA is talking about it. In fact, this year more than ever we have made it an important part of the event and we’ll be creating the AERO Sustainable Aviation Trail – with conference topics and exhibitors. The aim is to also reflect this online and on our website.

On 17 November 2021, Messe Frankfurt and Messe Friedrichshafen officially signed off on their new partnership, which is primarily concerned with innovative mobility. Another point of focus at Aero Friedrichshafen, for the first time this year, will be on the future of regional airports. We want to showcase to the public and politicians that regional airports are really important for future of air mobility. This is a topic we’re working on in partnership with IDRF (Interest Group of Regional Airports).

Our Business Aviation Conference on the second day of the show focuses on topics like sustainability and innovation, and business aviation is also linked to HEMS-equipped biz jets. It covers so many different topics in GA and includes educational programmes, and webinar events where we hope to bring in emergency and HEMS speakers. On 30 April, round-the-world aviator Sarah Rutherford will be on stage in a programme dedicated to women in aviation.

The show’s ‘Avionics Avenue’ offers a comprehensive overview of flight control and management systems, navigation devices and displays, weather radar, and air and ground radar systems. What are the latest developments in these areas that you think will be popular with attendees?

In Hall A6 we have the big Garmin stand showcasing their latest products. There will also be seminar rooms, products, services, and the latest equipment on display from other manufacturers.

SkyFox is one of our long-standing exhibitors. We’ll also be welcoming Air Avionics, BOSE, Jeppesen and ForeFlight, who are part of the Boeing exhibit.

We have a dedicated flight simulator area for certified and non-certified pilots. Aero has been all about attracting young people into aviation and we want them to try out the simulators. Visitors can try headsets in a special test area to see if they fit their needs.

With the growing emphasis on ‘clean’ engines and fuels, what can the show offer in terms of new hybrid propulsion systems and electric motors?

Aero Friedrichshafen has a dedicated engine area in Hall A5 where engines will be presented. Also in our e-flight expo in Hall A7, exhibitors like Rolls-Royce Electrical, MGM Compro or Geiger Engineering will present their propulsion systems. Concepts related to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) will also be a hot topic at the event. TOTAL, another long-standing exhibitor, will be here to showcase their latest projects in SAF. Sustainable aviation fuels also feature elsewhere in the conference programme.

The Institute for Electrical Propulsion (DLR) have just opened a new facility for developing electric propulsion at Cottbus in eastern Germany. They will be exhibiting at Aero and we expect them to make a presentation about their new campus.

The ‘Helicopter Hangar’ is an area of interest for readers of AirMed&Rescue where there will be exhibits relating to air rescue. Which of these will be dedicated to HEMS and firefighting?

The Helicopter Hangar at AERO in Hall B5 will again be a dedicated platform to showcase the helicopter industry and operators, promoting new partners, pilots, and flight schools, especially in the D-A-CH region. The German Helicopter Association (DHV) will have a member pavilion including a promotional stand from EHA for EUROPEAN ROTORS 2022.

Bell will be there along with its German dealer Rheinland Air Service to promote the 505 Jet Ranger. Guimbal and their partner Swiss Helicopter will also be present with a Capri G2. There will also be a helicopter firefighting presence – a Bell 412 with external fire-fighting tank from Heli Austria; the German Federal Police with Airbus 120 and 155 helicopters; and German Armed Forces with their new H145 with SAR and hoist.

With the DHV (German Helicopter Association) organizing a dedicated Heli-Forum during the four days of the show, which presentations by international speakers will cover specialist mission aviation?

Frank Liemandt from DHV will be organising the high level four-day conference, which will be at a dedicated stage in Hall B5. The four-day programme includes a whole bunch of topics related to air rescue, safety and special missions: the German Federal Police will be talking about a day in the life of a Federal Police pilot, as well as technical jobs and entry opportunities within their organisation; David Solar, head of VTOL at the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), will be speaking about the Rotorcraft Safety RoadMap; and Dr Matthias Ruppert from the ADAC HEMS Academy will speak about lessons learned from the recent flood emergency in the Ahr valley. This programme is not yet finalised, but we hope it will attract the interest of a wide audience, especially young people, as there will also be plenty of topics related to training and education dedicated to them. 

Furthermore, drones have always been an important part of AERO. For 2022 we will have a drone event taking place on the 27th and 28th dedicated and focused on rescue missions. This event brings together the drone industry with governmental and rescue organisations such as police forces, fire brigades and rescue service providers who need to connect to lessons learned about dedicated drone support in their rescue missions.