lunes, 7 de octubre de 2019
100th birthday of KLM:TU Delft presents scale model and cabin for energy-efficient Flying-V
At the KLM Experience Days, from 3-13 October 2019, TU Delft will be presenting part of the cabin and a flying scale model of the revolutionary, energy-efficient Flying-V. This V-shaped aircraft design is expected to consume 20% less energy thanks to its improved aerodynamics and lighter weight. The more than 3 metres wide scale model will take to the air later this year. The cabin features an experimental design, with four types of seats, including group seating and foldaway beds in economy class. The TU Delft Flying-V – a collaboration with KLM – is one of the routes that TU Delft is exploring in its efforts to make aviation more sustainable. Dean Henri Werij: “Ultimately, we have to fly solely on sustainable energy. CO2-neutral. I am confident that we will be able to do that.”
Full-length sleeping in economy class
Professor Peter Vink and industrial design engineer Thomas Rotte developed the designs for the new oval-shaped cabin, combining knowledge of lightweight design techniques with passenger comfort. Vink: “The Flying-V can be arranged to suit customer needs, either in the traditional way, as in the current Airbus A350, or radically differently. The aim of our interior concept for the Flying-V is to improve the passenger experience at a lower weight and with passenger numbers comparable to the current Airbus A350. Developed together with 80 students of Industrial Design Engineering, the concept includes four types of seating: beds, lounge areas, group seating and individual seats. We take advantage of the oval shape by creating beds and positioning the seats in the flight direction, to avoid passengers sitting shoulder to shoulder.” At the KLM Experience Days and during Dutch Design Week later in October, visitors will have an opportunity to see a full-size section of the Flying-V cabin and try out some of the seating. A patent on the design of the beds has already been applied for.
Flying scale model
The design for the Flying-V was presented at the IATA conference in Seoul last June. Over the summer months, a team of engineers, technicians, students and researchers have built a flying scale model measuring 3.06 m in width and 2.76 m in length. The model – a sizeable drone – is intended for scaled flight testing. During the test flight, the stability of the aircraft will be measured and tests conducted to determine the best angle for take-off and landing. Building a scale model of this kind is far from easy: the model needs to include all of the systems to fly and control the plane as well as the sensors to measure and communicate aircraft behaviour. Project leader Roelof Vos: “This has been an extraordinary learning experience for the engineers and students working on the model in our lab.” A question that people often ask about the Flying-V is whether the extra G forces created will make it uncomfortable for passengers. Project leader Roelof Vos: “Research by Airbus has now shown that passengers are not affected by this, because they are sitting at the front of the wing. But this also demonstrates that such a radically different aircraft design requires just about everything to be retested and measured.” Vos hopes to be able to conduct the first flight tests later this year. “These are exciting times. We won’t know how the aircraft reacts until we fly it.”
Flying on sustainable energy
On 4 October, some 40 experts from universities, knowledge institutions and business met to discuss the Flying-V research agenda. Vos: “A lot of further research is required, covering such areas as flight performance, noise and how to accommodate the Flying-V in existing airports.”The Flying-V is one of TU Delft's lines of research into making aviation more sustainable. Dean Henri Werij: "Ultimately, we have to fly solely on sustainable energy. CO2-neutral. If the aircraft of the future continue to emit CO2 because we fly on for example, synthetic kerosene, we will then have to find a way to extract the same amount of CO2 from the atmosphere to produce those fuels. At Delft University of Technology, we are investigating how we are going to achieve this. For example, we are investigating new forms of propulsion, such as electric and electric hybrid, the climate impact of aviation and air traffic operations, such as airports.”
KLM100
KLM is a partner in the Flying-V project. Werij: “It’s fantastic to be able to work with KLM on sustainable aviation, especially in this special year in which KLM celebrates their centenary jubilee. On behalf of all of us at TU Delft: congratulations!”
Want to see the Flying-V?
- https://www.tudelft.nl/lr/flying-v/
- Background article in Trouw newspaper, 28 September 2019
- View the animations on the Flying-V site
- TV documentary on KLM centenary (100 jaar KLM), RTL-Z 20.30 on 7 October
- TV climate special (Staat van het Klimaat), 24 October NPO1
- Dutch Design Weeks in Eindhoven: 19 – 27 October
Aernnova buys GE Aviation’s Hamble le Rice (Southampton) Bussiness
Board now leads the way towards sustainable flying
press release
A flying start
With the launch of Board Now with PwC and Skycanner as launching members, the program will be kicked-off with a flying start today. Moreover, a number of leading organizations has joined Board Now as partners: the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), the ClimateWorks Foundation, South Pole, Vertis Environmental Finance and the Climate Neutral Group. The last three organizations develop projects to enable companies to compensate their own CO2 emissions, in addition to CO2 reduction. These parties support the program by helping further growth of Board Now by providing access to knowledge and networks and by creating marketing opportunities.
Renate de Lange, member of the Board of Directors of PwC Netherlands: “PwC is doing everything in its power to reduce its own business air travel emissions substantially. The purchasing of sustainable aviation fuel contributes to this. The use of SAF can deliver a CO2 reduction of at least 85 per cent compared to conventional jet fuel. With our commitment to SkyNRG, we strengthen our strategy for sustainable business travel and we believe that this is a very important step towards sustainable flying”.
“With the support of renowned organizations participating in Board Now, that make a choice for sustainable business travels and an investment in SAF, we are able to accelerate the energy transition in aviation,” states Theye Veen, Managing Director at SkyNRG. “We are very proud that these organizations have boarded our program as launching members or partners. Their commitment and support is crucial in order to scale-up this industry and take the development of sustainable fuel worldwide to the next level. We are looking forward to inspire other international organizations as well to follow in the footsteps of our launching members and partners”.
85 per cent CO2 reduction
The plant in Delfzijl, DSL-01, will annually produce 100,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel. This will mean a CO2 reduction of over 270,000 tons a year for the aviation industry. Sustainable aviation fuel can provide for a CO2 reduction of at least 85 per cent, compared to conventional jet fuel. The use of SAF will also contribute to a significant decrease in ultra-fine particles and sulphur emissions.
Sustainable fuel meets the highest sustainability standards
SkyNRG’s independent Sustainability Board advises on whether the fuel meets the highest sustainability standards. The Board includes representatives from WWF International, the European Climate Foundation, the Solidaridad Network and the University of Groningen. Furthermore, the sustainability of the chain and related products are ensured through certification by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), the highest possible certification standard for sustainable fuels.
Rolf Hogan, Executive Director at RSB: “By facilitating organizations with tools to reduce their footprint, Board Now is a potential game-changer. As a proud partner of Board Now, RSB is ready to give wings to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuel and to contribute to the battle against climate change”.
www.boardnow.org
- Launch of SkyNRG’s ground-breaking program paves the way to sustainable aviation;
- 85 per cent reduction of emissions as a result of sustainable aviation fuel
Amsterdam, October 3rd 2019 – Today, a significant step will be taken towards sustainable flying. Dutch company SkyNRG, global leader in sustainable aviation fuel, officially launches its ground-breaking Board Now program together with its launching members. By committing themselves to Board Now, companies reduce their own business air travel emissions and at the same time contribute to the development of a new production facility for sustainable aviation fuel. Board Now is the worlds first program that enables companies to contribute directly to the development of this industry and actively paves the way for the energy transition in the aviation sector. A number of renowned organizations, such as PwC and Skyscanner, have already signed-up to the program.
Organizations that join Board Now, commit themselves for a period of 5 years to the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). With this commitment, they not only reduce their own business air travel CO2 emissions, but also contribute to the development of a new production facility. Their investment will be used by SkyNRG to cover the price difference between sustainable aviation fuel and conventional jet fuel. The coalition that participates in the Board Now program, ensures a substantial purchase of SAF that will be produced by Europe’s first dedicated plant for the production of sustainable aviation fuel in Delfzijl (DSL-01). Earlier this year, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines already committed itself to the purchase of 75,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel from DSL-01 a year.
A flying start
With the launch of Board Now with PwC and Skycanner as launching members, the program will be kicked-off with a flying start today. Moreover, a number of leading organizations has joined Board Now as partners: the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), the ClimateWorks Foundation, South Pole, Vertis Environmental Finance and the Climate Neutral Group. The last three organizations develop projects to enable companies to compensate their own CO2 emissions, in addition to CO2 reduction. These parties support the program by helping further growth of Board Now by providing access to knowledge and networks and by creating marketing opportunities.
Renate de Lange, member of the Board of Directors of PwC Netherlands: “PwC is doing everything in its power to reduce its own business air travel emissions substantially. The purchasing of sustainable aviation fuel contributes to this. The use of SAF can deliver a CO2 reduction of at least 85 per cent compared to conventional jet fuel. With our commitment to SkyNRG, we strengthen our strategy for sustainable business travel and we believe that this is a very important step towards sustainable flying”.
“With the support of renowned organizations participating in Board Now, that make a choice for sustainable business travels and an investment in SAF, we are able to accelerate the energy transition in aviation,” states Theye Veen, Managing Director at SkyNRG. “We are very proud that these organizations have boarded our program as launching members or partners. Their commitment and support is crucial in order to scale-up this industry and take the development of sustainable fuel worldwide to the next level. We are looking forward to inspire other international organizations as well to follow in the footsteps of our launching members and partners”.
85 per cent CO2 reduction
The plant in Delfzijl, DSL-01, will annually produce 100,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel. This will mean a CO2 reduction of over 270,000 tons a year for the aviation industry. Sustainable aviation fuel can provide for a CO2 reduction of at least 85 per cent, compared to conventional jet fuel. The use of SAF will also contribute to a significant decrease in ultra-fine particles and sulphur emissions.
Sustainable fuel meets the highest sustainability standards
SkyNRG’s independent Sustainability Board advises on whether the fuel meets the highest sustainability standards. The Board includes representatives from WWF International, the European Climate Foundation, the Solidaridad Network and the University of Groningen. Furthermore, the sustainability of the chain and related products are ensured through certification by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), the highest possible certification standard for sustainable fuels.
Rolf Hogan, Executive Director at RSB: “By facilitating organizations with tools to reduce their footprint, Board Now is a potential game-changer. As a proud partner of Board Now, RSB is ready to give wings to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuel and to contribute to the battle against climate change”.
Airbus Helicopters and EASA combine efforts to bring the next generation of VTOL platforms to life
press release
Areas of focus include eVTOL and high-speed flight
Marignane - Airbus Helicopters and EASA have signed a joint Memorandum of Cooperation aiming to bring together their respective experiences and know-how to bring the next generation of VTOL platforms to life, along with the necessary regulatory framework to support them.
“I am very pleased to be joining efforts with EASA to build a common framework for the next generation of vertical lift solutions over the next decades,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “Innovation that benefits customers is at the heart of Airbus Helicopters strategy, and we are committed to working hand in hand with authorities around our innovation projects with the same professional approach, experience and spirit that have driven our legacy products.”
The areas of cooperation covered by this agreement include high speed flight with the Racer demonstrator, the certification of new piloting assistance systems (e.g., Airbus Helicopters’ EAGLE technology), the thermal/electrical hybridization of rotorcraft (eVTOL), and condition-based maintenance.
“Partnerships with industry are part of our strategy to ensure that innovation in the aviation market happens safely,” said Patrick Ky, Executive Director of EASA. “The learnings we derive from cutting edge technologies play a significant role in helping us to prepare our certification methodologies for these new advancements. The cooperation on innovation with Airbus Helicopters represents an important contribution to this strategy.”
viernes, 4 de octubre de 2019
BELL unveils 360 Invictus for US Army FARA competition
Press release
Next-generation rotorcraft is designed to provide attack, reconnaissance, and intelligence to shape the tactical environment and deliver operational overmatch in highly complex multi-domain operations
Fort Worth, Texas (October 2, 2019) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has announced a new rotorcraft, Bell 360 Invictus, as the company’s entrant for the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) Competitive Prototype program. Bell’s innovative approach to designing the Bell 360 Invictus combines proven low-risk technologies with advanced processes to deliver soldiers an affordable, agile and lethal solution to win on the modern battlefield. The Bell 360 Invictus meets or exceeds all requirements as laid out under the FARA contract.
“The Bell 360 will deliver advanced battlefield situational awareness, as well as lethal options, in support of the maneuver force at an affordable cost” said Vince Tobin, executive vice president of Military Business at Bell. “The multi-domain fight will be complex, and our team is delivering a highly capable, low-risk solution to confidently meet operational requirements with a sustainable fleet.”
The Bell 360 Invictus’ design emphasizes exceptional performance using proven technologies to fulfill the Army’s FARA requirements at an affordable cost and on schedule. One example is the Invictus’ rotor system. This design is based on Bell’s 525 Relentless rotor system which has been tested and proven at speeds in excess of 200 Knots True Air Speed (KTAS). By incorporating proven designs and the best available technologies from commercial and military programs, Bell delivers a low-risk path to a FARA program of record.
This advanced aircraft will have a transformative impact through next-generation flight performance, increased safety and greater operational readiness—all to deliver decisive capabilities.
Some of the key 360 Invictus features include:
- Lift-sharing wing to reduce rotor lift demand in forward flight, enabling high-speed maneuverability
- Supplemental Power Unit increases performance during high power demands
- Robust articulated main rotor with high flapping capability enabling high speed flight
- Fly-by-wire flight control system—synthesizes technologies, reduces pilot workload and provides a path to autonomous flight
- Speed: >185 KTAS
- Combat radius: 135nm with >90 minutes of time on station
- Achieves 4k/95F Hover Out of Ground Effect (HOGE)
- Armed with a 20 mm cannon, integrated munitions launcher with ability to integrate air-launched effects, and future weapons, as well as current inventory of munitions
- Provisioned for enhanced situational awareness and sensor technologies
- Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) enabled by a Digital Backbone from Collins Aerospace
- Robust design integrating lifecycle supportability processes early to ensure high OPTEMPO availability in multi-domain operations
- Design-as-built manufacturing model and digital thread enabled tools to enhance affordability, reliability, and training throughout the lifecycle of the aircraft
"Bell is committed to providing the U.S. Army with the most affordable, most sustainable, least complex, and lowest risk solution among the potential FARA configurations, while meeting all requirements," said Keith Flail, vice president of Advanced Vertical Lift Systems at Bell. “360 Invictus is an exciting opportunity for us to continue our support of Army modernization. This is the next solution to ensure soldiers have the best equipment available for the multi-domain fight.”
Bell has decades of experience providing attack and reconnaissance aircraft to the warfighter, such as the Kiowa Warrior which delivered high reliability and availability through more than 850,000 flight hours. The Bell 360 Invictus design builds from that legacy, Bell’s commercial innovations, and from the success in the development and manufacturing capabilities required for Future Vertical Lift (FVL) as part of the Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstration (JMR TD) over the past six years.
To learn more about Bell 360 Invictus and FVL, please visit our booth at the AUSA Annual meeting (#2124) or bellflight.com/.
Distribution A: Approved for Public Release
This research was partially funded by the Government under Agreement No. W911W6-19-9-0002. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Government purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation thereon. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Aviation Development Directorate, or the U.S. Government
First Batch of Tecnam P2012 Travellers Arrives in the US
press release
It was an historical day for Tecnam and for the P2012 program when the first two Traveller aircraft were ready to depart Tecnam headquarters in Capua, Italy, and wing their way across the world to Massachusetts, US.
With this ferry flight to the first customer, the P2012 Traveller is officially born and in service. These first two aircraft represent the first batch of the 100 Travellers ordered by Cape Air as a result of a thorough and intensive development process in conjunction with Tecnam.
A ferry flight across the Atlantic takes more than a safe, reliable aeroplane. It also takes skill, confidence and a great deal of experience. So, when Tecnam needed a crew to fly these first two P2012 Traveller aircraft from Italy to the US, who better to take on the task than the Managing Director himself?
Grandson of the founding brothers, 28-year-old Giovanni Pascale stepped up to the role of Pilot in Command and successfully led his crew on this 4,000 NM journey, which took only three days to complete. He ferried one of the P2012 Travellers together with Co-pilot Elio Rullo, while Capt. Vito Preti and Technician Antonio Covino flew the other. There may have been just four crew members on board, but to these men it seemed that, spiritually, the entire Tecnam team had accompanied them on their journey, staying in close communication at all times, and cheering them on from afar.
There were fuel stops in five different countries. Their first airport was Groningen Airport in the Netherlands, followed by Inverness in Scotland and Reykjavic in Iceland. Next came Narsarsuaq in Greenland, which is known as one of the world’s most demanding airports because landing requires approach to the runway through a fjord, surrounded by mountains and glaciers.
Their final refuelling was at Goose Bay Airport in Canada, before heading due south to Barnstable Airport in Hyannis, Massachusetts, US., where they were greeted by enthusiastic Cape Air Executives, Founder & CEO Dan Wolf, President Linda Markham and James Goddard – Senior Vice President, Fleet Planning & Acquisitions.
The Tecnam crew members were kept constantly busy during the flight. In the air, they were hyper alert, flying around the weather in very tough and sometimes challenging conditions. When on the ground there was no time to rest or eat, they were refilling fuel and filing flight plans and then getting back in the air as quickly as possible to take advantage of the weather.
Powered by two 375 HP turbo-charged Lycoming engines, the 11-seat Tecnam P2012 Traveller has a fuel capacity of 750 litres in the wings, but on this ferry flight — the longest ever for Tecnam — they carried an extra 450 litres in a collapsible ferry tank in the rear of the aircraft, significantly extending their range.
It was a very rewarding experience for the Tecnam crew, chasing the sun from one country to another, right across the world, with breathtaking landscapes and stunning topography along the way, especially crossing the Labrador Sea between Greenland and Canada.
More info on the P2012 Traveller https://www.tecnam.com/aircraft/p2012
Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets acquires Farnborough Airport
Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets ('MIRA') - via Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 6 - has acquired Farnborough Airport from a consortium of private investors.
Farnborough Airport, the only dedicated business aviation airport in the United Kingdom, handles more than 30,000 air traffic movements… https://blueskynews.aero/issue-527/Macquarie-Infrastructure-and-Real-Assets-acquires-Farnborough-Airport.html
XL Airways gets last-minute takeover offer
XL Airways, which has been placed in receivership and suspended its operations from September 30, 2019, may have been given a last-minute lifeline. Just before the hearing of the Commercial Court of Bobigny that was about to pronounce the end of the airline, a takeover bid was placed by Gérard Houa.
https://www.aerotime.aero/clement.charpentreau/24020-xl-airways-gets-last-minute-takeover-offer
https://www.aerotime.aero/clement.charpentreau/24020-xl-airways-gets-last-minute-takeover-offer
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