First Speakers Announced!

Josef Kallo is co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of H2FLY - a company that specializes in the development of hydrogen-electric powertrain systems for aircraft headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. As an entrepreneur, he financed the first round of H2FLY aiming early for a transfer of technology from basic knowledge to a first flying prototype.

Under Kallo’s leadership, H2FLY has achieved significant milestones, including the world’s first liquid hydrogen flight of the HY4 aircraft and the successful development of a high-performance fuel cell system for Joby’s hydrogen-electric eVTOL aircraft demonstrating the potential of hydrogen-electric powertrain systems for various commercial aircraft applications.

Josef Kallo has an extensive background in power electronics and energy technologies with international research collaboration with partners in Japan (JAXA), France (CEA, Onera), and Spain (INTA). From 1999 to 2006, he was a Project Engineer at General Motors Global Alternative Propulsion Center focusing on the application of hybrid powertrains. After that, he coordinated numerous development projects at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) focusing on battery, fuel cell and hybrid-electric powertrains.

Since 2015, he has led research in energy management for hybrid powertrains as a Full Professor at the University of Ulm and additionally assumed the position of Primary Investigator at the Helmholtz Institute for Electrochemical Energy Storage. He is a passionate pilot.

Peter has a proven track record of achievement in both academic and industrial research and development of novel electrical power systems. Peter has extensive experience of directing and guiding university and industrial research and successful product development resulting in new patents and new products. Peter has made a significant contribution to R&D of new technologies including high temperature superconductors, wide-band-gap semiconductors and novel network designs. Currently researching technologies associated with Hybrid and Electric aircraft propulsion systems.

Peter is currently working in the School of Engineering with an objective to build on the work done in the field of More Electric Aircraft and create research activities in the field of Hybrid Electric Aircraft.

I have 24 years of experience in aerospace at Pratt & Whitney Canada, Bombardier Aerospace and Bell Helicopter, encompassing different roles in design, integration, test and aftermarket on programs like the A220 (former C-Series), Global 7500, Boeing 787, CRJ, Bell 429 and various engine models.

I have been involved at different stages of the product lifecycle, from product development, entry into service up to mature product support.

In my current role, we install a new hybrid-electric propulsion system in a legacy airplane.

This work will allow us to capture essential information for future product definition of hybrid electric propulsion, including complex integration challenges.

Graduated from Sup’Aero (Ecole Nationale Supérieure de l’Aéronautique et de l’Espace)
More than 30 years of experience in the space industry (including satellites, manned flights, launchers)
Previous experience includes Airbus DS, ArianeGroup and Starsem

I am currently leading the transition roadmap for the second generation of our Airship propulsion system, using hydrogen fuel.

Ian is one of the leading figures in the development of aerospace high voltage systems and has been involved in a number of research projects through his employment at The University of Manchester. He has worked in the area of aerospace HV systems for over ten years. His experience includes practical testing of systems within HV laboratory environment and the development of techniques to age equipment. Ian led the work to draft the SAE Aerospace Information Report ‘High Voltage Systems In Aerospace Environments’ and continues to sit on the SAE AE10 / ASD D2/WG1 committees. He has provided training courses to a range of companies including Airbus, Boeing, Ultra Electronics, GE Aviation, Amphenol and GKN.

Appointed Chief Technology Officer in 2023.

Over 20 years’ experience in Aerospace, Defence and Space industries.

Previously held senior roles in GKN Aerospace, Aerospace Technology Institute, The National Composites Centre, Cobham and Airbus Defence and Space.

BEng Hons in Mechanical Engineering and former visiting professor at the University of Derby.

Product roadmap definition and management of the propulsion product line (Hall effect propulsion systems)

A results-driven and team-oriented person with a PhD in Environmental Catalysis and a few years of experience from automotive industry in product development and project leadership.
Currently working with hydrogen fuel cell technology, for a greener and brighter future!
Highly motivated with an analytical approach and structured thinking towards problem solving.

Helen Leadbetter currently works for the UK Civil Aviation Authority as the Zero Emissions Flight & Hydrogen Challenge Lead. The CAA Hydrogen Challenge was launched last year to work with industry to understand the risks and challenges associated with the introduction of hydrogen as an aviation fuel.

Before joining the UK CAA Helen worked on the ATI's FlyZero project researching zero emissions aviation and understanding the challenges and opportunities this could bring to the aviation sector.

Bilge Kacmaz is a Research Engineer at Pulsar Fusion, a UK-based company developing advanced in-space propulsion systems including Hall-effect thrusters and nuclear fusion-based drives. Her work focuses on the development and testing of electric propulsion technologies for next-generation space missions.

Bilge holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, with a research focus on the optimal design and simulation of electric aircraft. She has a background in both academic research and industry innovation, with expertise in plasma physics, spacecraft propulsion. She is currently leading Pulsar Fusion’s technical preparations for the Sunbird IOD mission, scheduled for launch in 2027, and plays a key role in the company's international expansion efforts.

With experience spanning the UK and international space sectors, Bilge is passionate about building sustainable, high-performance propulsion systems to meet the challenges of future orbital and interplanetary missions.