Airbus Proposes Unusual Dual-Plane Trajectories to Cut Airliner Emissions
24 November 2019 - 03:18PM
Dow Jones News
By Andy Pasztor
Highlighting Europe's increasing focus on cutting aircraft
emissions, plane maker Airbus SE has unveiled a demonstration
project focused on a novel environmental concept adapted from the
way birds and bicycle racers save energy.
Airbus envisions flying two jetliners on long overwater routes
in extra-close formation -- with minimal vertical separation -- so
that the trailing aircraft could benefit from the updraft and
smooth air generated by the one it is following. Much the way
flocks of birds use such techniques to conserve energy by coasting
behind a lead bird, Airbus envisions the second jet would be able
to reduce power, potentially reducing its fuel burn up to 10%.
In a recent press release, Airbus said it hopes to reduce carbon
emissions by partnering with airlines and air-traffic controllers
"to identify the operational needs and suitable solutions" for
implementing this type of formation flying.
For European airlines and regulators alike, environmental
concerns are growing in importance. The experiment Airbus has
sketched out is the company's latest effort to seek to demonstrate
leadership in that arena. Officials at the European Union Aviation
Safety Agency have talked about potential future moves to rank
carriers on environmental accomplishments.
Air-traffic controllers, who have embraced new technologies such
as more-precise satellite tracking of jetliners across the North
Atlantic, would have to endorse the Airbus concept, dubbed
"fello'fly." Controllers already are instituting procedures on some
trans-Atlantic routes intended to reduce fuel consumption by giving
pilots greater flexibility to adjust predetermined courses in
response to headwinds and storms.
But the tandem flying proposed by Airbus presumably would apply
to an array of weather and weight conditions. The company, which
said it hopes to start testing next year, also aims to develop
enhanced cockpit automation permitting planes to cruise
dramatically closer to each other. It is likely to take years for
carriers to routinely rely on such flights and cockpit
features.
The proposal would promote the plane maker's broader goals of
improving global air safety through additional automated safeguards
and application of artificial intelligence.
The move comes as plane manufacturers, avionics suppliers,
regulators and international standard-setting organizations are all
working on systems to enable introduction of autonomous aircraft,
from small package-delivery drones and urban air taxis to larger
cargo planes.
Write to Andy Pasztor at andy.pasztor@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 23, 2019 23:03 ET (04:03 GMT)
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