# 136. Hybrid Takes The Sky With HyBird🛩🔋

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2023-08-22
- Length: 22m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-08-22-136-hybrid-takes-the-sky-with-hybird
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/136-hybrid-takes-the-sky-with-hybird-d1z86eje

## Summary

Daniel and Furbo discuss the HyBird demonstrator, a hybrid-electric aircraft developed by a team from the University of Stuttgart, DLR, and NASA to address the high emissions of short-haul flights. The system uses two gas turbines to generate electricity for four electric propellers, allowing one turbine to shut down during cruise for efficiency while batteries provide 'boost' during takeoff. The team recently successfully flew a 1/4 scale demonstrator and is now working with Airbus to scale the technology for commercial regional aviation.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-08-22-136-hybrid-takes-the-sky-with-hybird#t=0) Introduction: The environmental impact of short-haul flights
- [2:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-08-22-136-hybrid-takes-the-sky-with-hybird#t=130) The NASA-DLR Challenge and University of Stuttgart's Winning Proposal
- [4:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-08-22-136-hybrid-takes-the-sky-with-hybird#t=268) Why Short-Haul Flights Are Inefficient: Takeoff and Landing Emissions
- [6:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-08-22-136-hybrid-takes-the-sky-with-hybird#t=398) HyBird Propulsion System: Gas Turbines, Electric Motors, and Battery Boost
- [8:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-08-22-136-hybrid-takes-the-sky-with-hybird#t=536) Wingtip Motors, Winglets, and Mass Optimization Algorithm
- [13:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-08-22-136-hybrid-takes-the-sky-with-hybird#t=785) Progress: 1/4 Scale Demonstrator Flight and Airbus Partnership
- [15:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-08-22-136-hybrid-takes-the-sky-with-hybird#t=900) Range, Cost Reduction, and Future Hydrogen Challenges
- [17:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-08-22-136-hybrid-takes-the-sky-with-hybird#t=1028) Comparison to Nissan e-Power and Industry Cross-Pollination

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- DLR (company)
- NASA (company)
- Airbus (company)
- University of Stuttgart (company)
- HyBird (product)
- Nissan e-Power (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Why Electric Aviation Is Finally Becoming Possible | Anders Forslund](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2026-09-03-why-electric-aviation-is-finally-becoming-possible-anders-forslund) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [HIBT Lab! Universal Hydrogen: Paul Eremenko](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-10-20-hibt-lab-universal-hydrogen-paul-eremenko) (How I Built This)
- [Booking your first zero-emissions flight](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-08-18-booking-your-first-zero-emissions-flight) (Catalyst)
- [Can We Electrify Aviation? Electric vs Fuel Planes #24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-10-04-can-we-electrify-aviation-electric-vs-fuel-planes-24) (Hard Tech Podcast)
- [Electrifying aviation with Kyle Clark of BETA Technologies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-24-electrifying-aviation-with-kyle-clark-of-beta-technologies) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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