Airbus in search of green aviation

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Airbus is one of those aviation leaders made in France who are looking for solutions for the future. Solutions that aim above all to reduce the consumption of aircraft during their flights. Indeed, even if Airbus’ new-generation aircraft have a lower fuel consumption than the older models, they remain very kerosene-intensive. To further reduce the consumption of airliners, the company is therefore thinking about new solutions that could eventually have a strong impact.

Green aviation, Airbus projects for the future to be realized

Aviation has evolved well, and is constantly seeking to innovate to limit the environmental impact of daily commercial flights around the world. By adopting solutions such as the creation of new generation aircraft with less consumers, for example. This is a solution implemented by Airbus, but it can still be improved. Take, for example, a 6,800 km Paris-Pitre flight with 389 passengers, 14 crew members and 14 tons of cargo on board. The aircraft used, an A350, consumes approximately 48 tons of fuel, or 6 tons per hour. One kg of kerosene is equivalent to 1.25 litres, which means that 60,000 litres of gasoline are consumed on the entire flight. To continue to reduce the ecological impact of these long-haul flights, Airbus is thinking of new solutions, using physical processes. For this, there is nothing like looking at the workings of nature.

This is how Airbus looked at the flight of migratory geese. These birds fly in close formation and thus fly longer, without getting tired. This program, called Fello’Fly, relies on biomimicry and would save 5-10% on a long-haul flight. Thanks to the proximity of two planes, one behind the other, the furrow of the first acts as a lift for the second. With this phenomenon, the follower aircraft consumes much less. But there are limits, especially in terms of safety. It is necessary to be able to guarantee an optimal and safe placement at all times for both aircraft. To make this possible, Airbus is actively working on the design of tools to help pilots stay on course. An ecological, economic and ambitious project, which relies on the behaviours of birds to optimize the result, with true cases.

Future solutions, a springboard for ecology

Airbus is actively working to combine environmental respect with technical prowess. Indeed, for some years now, the group has been talking about the hydrogen aircraft. A carbon-neutral aircraft that could truly revolutionize aeronautics. By 2035, the hydrogen aircraft could well see the light of day. However, it poses technological barriers that the aviation industry has never encountered before. With the COVID-19 crisis, the level seems even more difficult to look for, as it leaves economic marks. Especially since aviation has been one of the most affected sectors since the beginning of the year internationally. In addition, cities are also choosing to increase the number of direct routes to avoid multiple journeys. Bordeaux Airport offers its passengers an increasing number of direct routes each year.

This allows you to use only one plane, straightforwardly through a Hub, as in Paris, London, or Amsterdam. Aeronautics connects people to the rest of the world, and is an essential part of countries’ economies. Indeed, military, commercial, and tourism impact depend in part on the aeronautical supply. It is for this reason that this sector is constantly looking to evolve, to propose a greener, more sustainable and environmentally friendly model…

Sources:

Aeronews – Video – How much kerosene does a long-haul aircraft consume? – Aeronautics industry

Airbus takes inspiration from migrating geese with Fello’fly

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