Research in Focus

Firstly, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a German engineer who first fell in love with aviation during an internship on a construction site at Berlin Tegel Airport in the summer after finishing high school. I went on studying industrial engineering with the technical direction of civil engineering and later purposefully selected subjects such as transport economics and roads and runway construction as well as an elective in air transport operations followed by a 5-month long internship at Lufthansa at Frankfurt International Airport. From there, I went on writing my Master Thesis about hedging strategies for Lufthansa Technik’s maintenance operations in Asia. After a three-year career in renewable energies, after turning down the opportunity to become a management trainee with Lufthansa for personal reasons, I resigned to do my PhD about Aerotropolis developments and economic development in Australia living at one of the most stunning beaches in the world!

After returning to Europe and finishing my PhD while joining one of my supervisors in Madrid, Spain, I started my own business working on Airport City and Aerotropolis strategies and giving executive training courses worldwide. After many, many hours in the aircraft and many more countries, it was time for change again and I joined academia, first in Adelaide at the University of South Australia in 2020 and then here in Sydney 2 years ago. I love the combination of research, consultant work, and inspiring the next generation!

My research is always very hands-on or ‘applied’ and most of the times with industry or government partners involved. Apart from driving knowledge and solutions for Aerotropolis developments, sustainable aviation and new drone transport options (AAM), I regularly speak at industry conferences and of course, take my knowledge back to the classroom.

What has been your research focus?

Aerotropolis and economic development; airports; infrastructure for sustainable aviation and drones

Where has this research focus taken you?

Around the world!

What (Industry/Research) partnerships have you been involved in?

I come from industry and pretty much all of my research projects involve industry or government partners such as Newcastle Airport; Shellharbour Airport; Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts; numerous airports overseas….I also work closely with colleagues at Cranfield University among a whole lot of others!

Are you currently involved in any?

I am currently doing some research with Sydney Airport looking at non-aviation revenues.

Who/What are you normally approached for?

Questions around aviation/regional economics, airport infrastructure, sustainable aviation and of course, Aerotropolis development as well as regional transport integration with a focus on economic development!

Describe some notable achievements in academic research – especially any that have helped industry. 

Last year, I led a study on airport grid needs of the future funded by the Digital Grids Future Institute and supported by Newcastle and Shellharbour Airport as well as colleagues from electrical engineering. The study got a lot of praise as so far, any attempts to plan for future grid needs at airports had faced significant challenges due to uncertainty around the uptake of new aircraft and vehicles and their timeframes. Our study introduced numerous scenarios and then modelled the electricity needs what brought the challenges really into the spotlight. Electricity during peak time could be, for example, up to 1,000 times higher in 2050 than today!

A recording of the public webinar of that study can be found here: https://www.newh2.net.au/article/decarbonisation-in-the-aviation-industry-a-discussion

In 2022/2023, I co-led an iMove study for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, which looked at the future of drones in Australia and its economic impacts. The report was released through a press release by the Commonwealth Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, The Hon Catherine King MP. The ABC then reached out for interviews, and I believe, our insights are keep impacting policy in the ever-evolving drone area.

A copy of the report can be found here: https://www.drones.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/validating-the-benefits-of-increased-drone-uptake-for-australia-final-report.pdf

Briefly describe your current research project.

There are a couple. Apart from working with Sydney Airport, I am also involved in a study that aims at ‘Enhancing Logistics and Disaster Resilience through Advanced Air Mobility: Economic Impact, Operational Optimisation, and VR/AR Training Integration’. Part of this is building an AAM simulator and help industry with their certification and commercialisation efforts in this emerging space. It’s a multi-disciplinary team and the AAM simulator is also open for aviation students as an elective (https://www.unsw.edu.au/challeng/vertically-integrated-projects/explore-vertically-integrated-projects/flying-cars-virtual-reality-simulator).

How does everything you have done/do relate to your teaching?

I take the ‘real-world’ back to the classroom and explain concepts, theories, etc. by giving examples from around the world. I strongly believe, learning is easier, more fun and interesting if you can see the relevance and if you understand the context.

What current and future challenges in the aviation industry do you believe your expertise can help to solve?

Apart from building Aerotropolises that actually work, means bringing prosperity for the airport, regions and its residents, I think my expertise is very valuable for building the ecosystem for sustainable aviation. I have a very unique background that blends civil engineering, aviation, economics, finance, and renewable energies as well as experience in start-ups, government, industry and academia. To make net zero a reality and using transportation to enhance regional economic development, it is paramount to understand new routes and transport options that can become commercially viable using electric / hydrogen aircraft and drones. Connecting the infrastructure needed such as the transport and storage of the new fuel with business models that work, is for sure something I can help with!