“I do not want to feel guilty when I fly”

From student to sustainable aviation pioneer

Joseph Michaels moved from the United Kingdom to the Netherlands in 2019 to study aerospace engineering. After 4 years of studying and being part of a student team, he decides that engineering is not his thing. “I did want to stay in the sector, but more on the commercial side", he explains.  

As part of this student team, he builds relationships with Airbus and KLM and realises he is good at setting up partnerships. Not long after Conscious Aerospace was founded in 2022, he seizes his chance and applies for a job within the company.

Flying without emissions

The company focuses on smaller aircrafts with 50 seats. The liquid hydrogen used as fuel is stored in an insulated tank. The principle behind generating electricity is simple. “Hydrogen and oxygen combine in a fuel cell. This generates electricity without combustion. It all happens at temperatures below 100 degrees", explains Michaels. That electricity powers electric motors that turn the propellers.

The result: flying with little to no emissions. “We believe that giving up flying is not an option. Flying connects countries, industries and families", says Michaels.

WBSO supports long-term development

Conducting research in aviation is expensive, and development of innovations often takes a long time. “It can take 10 or 15 years before you become profitable", explains Michaels. The research and development tax credit WBSO helps the company move forward. “This allows us to hire more experts,” he says. “And when you do research and development, the WBSO is also a way to extend your financial buffer.”

Support from the National Growth Fund (NGF)

Conscious Aerospace is also part of the largest aviation project within the NGF. “We coordinate the consortium and carry out the project. This also means a significant investment from the government, enabling us to continue our R&D activities", says Michaels.

Advice for other entrepreneurs

Michaels emphasises that collaboration with the government is important. “If you focus on R&D, government funding is also a way to work more closely with the government", he says.

“The usual step for startups is often to approach venture capital funds. But perhaps you could take things a bit slower and make sure you get the right support. Do not overlook this. The government is an important stakeholder and is also helpful.” His tip: “Be honest, realistic and patient.”