WP3 R&D Mobility Fund | HvA Student presented at 21st GARS Junior Conference

Tijmen Kaspers, a student from the Aviation Academy at Hogeschool van Amsterdam and an intern at the Bright Sky Project WP3, attended the 21st GARS (German Aviation Research Society) Junior Conference in Antwerp on June 20-21, 2024. He presented his research thesis findings from the Bright Sky Project, titled “Evaluating Health Risks and Emissions from Ground Support Equipment at Schiphol Airport – Journey toward Autonomous Airside Operation.”

As WP3 aims to develop a sustainable and digitalized airport sub-system and make it autonomous, this research showcases the benefits of automation in airside operations from a personnel health risk perspective. We benchmarked it against the WHO standards for emission exposure, and the findings show that automation promotes electrification, which significantly reduces the risk of health problems for personnel. This is achieved by minimizing emissions from ground equipment and reducing the number of personnel operating on the apron. He shared his experiences as follows:

“This was a very educational experience for me. One of the most valuable parts of the conference was the feedback I received on my presentation. Presenting my work to an audience helped me improve my research and view it from different perspectives. The questions I received made me think more deeply about my research. The conference was also a great place to network. I met many master’s and PhD students who shared their studies and research experiences with me. These conversations helped me expand my professional network and consider future collaborations. They also influenced my thinking about my future education. The conference experience has reignited my excitement for learning and research. It has motivated me to consider further education in aviation after my studies at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.”

A wide range of topics were discussed in this year session, including #sustainability, business model, airline competition and regulations of airlines and airport. GARS members focus on aviation research, particularly in operations and management. Participating in the community ensures alignment and relevance between aviation research and education.

The poster can be found here.