Airlines bid to beat their weight problem
A few years ago Japan’s ANA airline asked passengers to use the toilet before boarding their flights. The logic was that if every passenger took a comfort break in advance, the aircraft’s load would be lighter and the engines would burn less fuel. The trial only lasted a month, but it highlighted the aerospace industry’s weight obsession. Weight is one of the three most important factors, after aerodynamics and engine performance, affecting the efficiency of an aircraft. Less fuel means lower carbon dioxide emissions, as well as savings on a significant operating cost for airlines. Finding new ways to slim down the global fleet is preoccupying the aerospace industry as it prepares for the next generation of aircraft, expected to start flying before 2030. In October, governments agreed the world’s first global climate deal for the aviation industry, which accounts for 2% of all CO2 emissions. With the number of air passengers set to jump from 3.6b last year to 16b by 2050, according to Iata, the trade body, every aspect of aviation is being scrutinised to cut growing emissions. “If you take 1,000lbs [454kg] out of the weight of an engine that is worth 1% of fuel. It is a big financial saving but also good for the environment,” says Ric Parker, former director of research and technology at Rolls-Royce and now chairman of the EU’s Clean Sky initiative. “Anything you can do to reduce weight is a good thing.” The extensive use of new materials — including carbon fibre reinforced polymer — has led to huge weight savings. Composite materials were introduced in 1985 on the tail fin of aircraft such as the Airbus A310 wide-body. Today, Boeing and Airbus have broken new ground with their latest wide-body models, the 787 and A350. Roughly half of these aircraft is made of carbon fibre plastic and other composite materials. Boeing boasts that the 787 — whose smallest model weighs 161 tonnes — offers a 20% weight saving compared with the equivalent aluminium aircraft. Story has further details.<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2016-12-15/general/airlines-bid-to-beat-their-weight-problem
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Airlines bid to beat their weight problem
A few years ago Japan’s ANA airline asked passengers to use the toilet before boarding their flights. The logic was that if every passenger took a comfort break in advance, the aircraft’s load would be lighter and the engines would burn less fuel. The trial only lasted a month, but it highlighted the aerospace industry’s weight obsession. Weight is one of the three most important factors, after aerodynamics and engine performance, affecting the efficiency of an aircraft. Less fuel means lower carbon dioxide emissions, as well as savings on a significant operating cost for airlines. Finding new ways to slim down the global fleet is preoccupying the aerospace industry as it prepares for the next generation of aircraft, expected to start flying before 2030. In October, governments agreed the world’s first global climate deal for the aviation industry, which accounts for 2% of all CO2 emissions. With the number of air passengers set to jump from 3.6b last year to 16b by 2050, according to Iata, the trade body, every aspect of aviation is being scrutinised to cut growing emissions. “If you take 1,000lbs [454kg] out of the weight of an engine that is worth 1% of fuel. It is a big financial saving but also good for the environment,” says Ric Parker, former director of research and technology at Rolls-Royce and now chairman of the EU’s Clean Sky initiative. “Anything you can do to reduce weight is a good thing.” The extensive use of new materials — including carbon fibre reinforced polymer — has led to huge weight savings. Composite materials were introduced in 1985 on the tail fin of aircraft such as the Airbus A310 wide-body. Today, Boeing and Airbus have broken new ground with their latest wide-body models, the 787 and A350. Roughly half of these aircraft is made of carbon fibre plastic and other composite materials. Boeing boasts that the 787 — whose smallest model weighs 161 tonnes — offers a 20% weight saving compared with the equivalent aluminium aircraft. Story has further details.<br/>
