"Now we will focus on expanding this model," Svein Gunnar Mæland told NRK.
Mæland is convinced about his project, which is projected to save airlines large amounts.
"The effect is tremendous. An airline running 100 aircraft will save up to 80-100 million NOK [$9 —11.5 mln] a year in reduced fuel costs alone," Mæland argued.
Additionally, the new technology is more eco-friendly and allows for a drastic reduction in the consumption of glycol when removing ice from the aircraft.
By his own admission, Svein Gunnar Mæland grew up with car washing equipment and has a washerman's genes in his blood. Inspired by his vision, Mæland proceeded with drawings, sketches and plans. In 2010, he teamed with a subsidiary of the Norwegian giant Kongsberg and eventually attracted more investors and partners. In the summer of 2015, he devised a complete scale model that demonstrated the airplane wash principle.
The massive EU support, which came like a Christmas gift to Mæland, has allowed the project to be finalized in Telemark County, Norway.
"I am very excited about the EU funding. The idea is so ingenious that I've only been looking for the EU to understand its point, Skien Mayor Hedda Foss Five told NRK.
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