How can European aviation safely transition to liquid hydrogen, integrate drone-assisted emergency teams, and protect aircraft against complex in-flight hazards? After four years of research, field testing, and technological validation under Horizon Europe, the ALBATROS project has delivered its final operational outcomes.
On Tuesday, 8 September 2026, the Consortium hosted its Final Dissemination Event (“Sharing Knowledge, Shaping Safety”), organised and moderated by Deep Blue, at the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) facilities and online. Specifically, the event brought together aviation authorities, research centres, aerospace leaders, and emergency responders to showcase practical safety solutions.
Whether you want to analyze field-test data, watch live drone response demonstrations, or explore cockpit display innovations, all session presentation slides and video recordings are available below, structured by event block.
Opening and keynote session
The opening block provides a strategic overview of the project’s journey. In particular, it details how four years of research results are now being transferred into actionable safety frameworksacross European aviation.
Opening & ALBATROS Vision: from project results to future standardisation
Presented by Wouter van Engelen (NLR, Project Coordinator), this opening keynote delivers a strategic breakdown of ALBATROS milestones and key exploitable results. Furthermore, the presentation details the exact roadmap used to transfer safety research directly into European regulatory frameworksand future standardisation guidelines. In addition, it sets the operational context and welcome logistics for the day.
Session materials:[download presentation PDF]
CINEA special intervention and welcome
Featuring contributions from CINEA and Deep Blue (DBL), this introductory session reflects on the broader impact of ALBATROS within the Horizon Europe framework.
Block 1: The impact of hydrogen in aviation on airport emergency response
This block focuses on concrete operational solutions for sustainable aviation, presenting real-world emergency tactics, airfield exercises, and drone-assisted response capabilities.
Exercise! Exercise! The impact of hydrogen in aviation on airport emergency response
Vincent Van Hasselt (Pipistrel) and Lisette Hartog (NLR) present field-validation results and video analysis of liquid hydrogen (LH2) leakage scenarios. Their session is conducted alongside ENSOSP and in close collaboration with RTHA, AIA, PVS, and AEGEAN. Overall, the joint presentation covers real-time drone coordination, tactical response protocols on active aerodromes, and practical firefighting suppression tacticsspecifically developed for hydrogen fuel hazards.
Session materials:[download presentation PDF]
Training course development and delivery
Eric Schoonderwoerd (JAA Training Organisation – JAA TO) outlines the development of specialized training curriculaand regulatory compliance frameworks. Specifically, these courses are designed to equip ground staff, airline personnel, and emergency services for emerging aviation hazards.
Session materials:[download presentation PDF]
Block 2: In-flight threats, atmospheric hazards and cockpit innovations
This block explores advanced diagnostic tools and technological solutions engineered to safeguard flight crews, avionics, and aircraft systems against severe environmental threats.
Intro to in-flight threats
Introduced by Pipistrel, this presentation sets the stage for Block 2 with an operational summary of atmospheric, physical, and environmental risks affecting modern aircraft operations.
Space weather and cosmic rays: solar radiation impacts on aviation avionics and flight crews
Kirsti Kauristie(Finnish Meteorological Institute – FMI ) alongside the University of Oulu examines risk assessment methodologies and diagnostic tools for solar radiation hazards. In detail, her presentation focuses on avionics protectionand monitoring cosmic radiation exposurefor flight crews.
Session materials:[download presentation PDF]
Sensors & physical threats
Emmanuel Laroche (ONERA) showcases novel physical sensing technologies. Specifically, these solutions are engineered for real-time detection and in-flight mitigation of severe atmospheric threats.
Session materials:[download presentation PDF]
Flight crew performance during emergencies: cockpit display
Yves Günther (DLR), working in close collaboration with Deep Blue (DBL) on human factors and cockpit UX, presents innovative human-machine interface (HMI) display solutions. As a result, these display systems assist pilots during critical in-flight emergencies and optimise workload managementunder pressure.
Session materials:[download presentation PDF]
Block 3: Closing remarks and future outlook: bridging research into standardisation
The final session of the event marked a pivotal transition for ALBATROS: shifting from four years of experimental research and field validation into long-term European adoption.
While Block 3 was conducted as an interactive live exchange, the panel discussions and closing remarks focussed on four core pillars shaping the future of sustainable aviation safety:
Handover to standardisation:direct transfer of validated findings and safety methodologies into ongoing EUROCAE working groupsand EASA regulatory frameworks.
Data4Safety (D4S) alignment:integrating project safety datasets, risk analysis models, and hazard indicators into EASA’s Data4Safety programmeto support data-driven European aviation safety intelligence.
Consortium legacy:strengthening research synergies between research centres (NLR, DLR, ONERA, CIRA), aerospace industry leaders, and airline operators to support the EU’s zero-emission targets.
Operational readiness:exploiting validated guidelines, JAA TO training curricula, andemergency response protocolsacross European aerodromes and first-responder networks.
The ALBATROS Consortium extends its sincere gratitude to all physical and virtual attendees, CINEA, and international partners whose collaboration made this journey possible.
Stay connected:For further enquiries regarding research outcomes, standardisation roadmaps, or consortium activities, please visit our contact page (on the footer) or reach out directly to the project coordination team.
