Market and Product Strategy - Aviation | CASE BRIEF
Surging fuel prices and environmental concerns in early 2000’s focused attention on problems impacting air transportation, it's customers and facilities. Industry response was weak and unfocused. Leadership did not emerge. Little progress was made within the industry
SOLUTION
- Formed a group of aviation and business leaders to explore new technologies and business models to jumpstart aviation innovation.
- Developed technology and product strategies focused on electric propulsion systems, air-frame efficiency, noise control, and use of advanced materials.
- Leveraged aviation legend, Polen-Special in "Efficiency on the Move" marketing campaign to gain visibility and build supplier interest and investor support.
- Developed Stage3 sub-scale flying test-bed to test and refine promising technologies.
RESULTS
By 2007, flight testing of sub-scale Stage3 prototype had proven concept viability, and construction of full-scale Stage3 prototype had begun attracting investor interest.
By Mid 2008, the growing economic crisis (great recession) had forced corporate partners to reallocate resources, that suspended construction of full-scale Stage3 prototype.
Two decades later, concepts pioneered by the Stage3 project are driving advanced aircraft and urban mobility development around the world.
The challenges and opportunities are before us… The time to act is NOW... Seize the Day.