Tech
First A319neo flight with 100% sustainable aviation fuel
Toulouse, 29 October 2021 – Airbus, Dassault Aviation, ONERA, the French Ministry of Transports and Safran have launched the first in-flight study of a single-aisle aircraft running on unblended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
During the flight test over the Toulouse region on 28 October, one CFM LEAP-1A engine of an Airbus A319neo test aircraft operated on 100% SAF. Initial results from the ground and flight tests are expected in 2022.
The unblended SAF is provided by Total Energies. It is made from Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), which primarily consists of used cooking oil, as well as other waste fats. HEFA is made of paraffinic hydrocarbons and is free of aromatics and sulfur. Approximately 57 tonnes of SAF will be used for the entire test campaign. It is produced in Normandy close to Le Havre, France. The 100% SAF will also be utilised for compatibility and engine operability studies on the Safran Helicopters Arrano engine used on the Airbus Helicopters H160, which are expected to start in 2022.
Airbus, in collaboration with DLR, is responsible for characterising and analysing the impact of 100% SAF on ground and in-flight emissions. Safran focuses on compatibility studies related to the fuel system and engine adaptation for commercial and helicopter aircraft and their optimisation for various types of 100% SAF fuels. Safran will perform LEAP engine ground tests with 100% SAF at its Villaroche facilities later this year to complete analysis. ONERA is supporting Airbus and Safran in analysing the compatibility of the fuel with aircraft systems and will be in charge of preparing, analysing and interpreting test results for the impact of 100% SAF on emissions and contrail formation. Dassault Aviation is contributing to the material and equipment compatibility studies and verifying 100% SAF biocontamination susceptibility.
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The study – known as VOLCAN (VOL avec Carburants Alternatifs Nouveaux) – contributes to global decarbonisation efforts currently underway across the entire aeronautical industry, and is benefiting from a financing of the France Relance recovery plan, the part thereof dedicated to the decarbonisation of aviation, which is implemented by DGAC under the supervision of Jean-Baptiste Djebbari, French Minister of Transports. The study’s ultimate goal is to promote the large-scale deployment and use of SAF, and certification of 100% SAF for use in single-aisle commercial aircraft and the new generation of business jets.
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@Airbus @Dassault_OnAir @onera_fr @SAFRAN
Aviation
A New Era in Aviation: German Researchers Build a Plane, Controlled by the Brain
Unlocking the potential of the human mind, German researchers have achieved an astonishing feat: a plane controlled solely by the power of your thoughts. Imagine taking to the skies without ever touching a control stick, relying instead on the incredible capabilities of your brain. This groundbreaking technology heralds a new era where the boundaries of possibility are redefined, offering the exhilarating opportunity to navigate the skies
In a groundbreaking advancement, a team of researchers from Technische Universität München and TU Berlin in Germany has developed technology enabling planes to be flown using only the power of thoughts. Led by Professor Florian Holzapfel, the scientists have not only achieved this feat but have also demonstrated its remarkable precision.
Using a flight simulator, seven subjects, including one with no cockpit experience, successfully navigated virtual skies with enough accuracy to pass a flying license test. This achievement marks a significant milestone in aviation technology.
The key to this brain-to-plane communication lies in a cap outfitted with EEG electrodes, which capture signals from the subjects’ brains. These signals are then translated into commands through an algorithm developed by the TU Berlin scientists.
Tim Fricke, head of the EU-funded project Brainflight, emphasizes the long-term goal of making flying more accessible to a broader range of people. While the prospect of the Average Joe donning an EEG cap and flying a plane may still be distant, the technology holds promise for enhancing flight safety and efficiency.
During tests, pilots managed landing approaches under poor visibility conditions, demonstrating the system’s reliability. Moreover, the technology has the potential to ease the workload of pilots, allowing them more freedom to manage other tasks in the cockpit. Following successful tests, researchers are now exploring how to adapt control systems and flight dynamics to accommodate this innovative control method. With brain control, flying could become more intuitive and less physically demanding, ushering in a new era of aviation safety and accessibility.
Aerospace
Maeve Aerospace Unveils 80-Seat Hybrid Regional Airliner
Maeve Aerospace, a European aircraft developer, has announced the expansion of its operations to Oberpfaffenhofen Airport (Munich) and the introduction of a new hybrid-electric 80-seater aircraft.
This move is intended to accelerate work on the programme. With its regional jet performance and turbo-prop economics, the aircraft is built to support the growth of the regional aviation market in the future by providing a low-carbon, low-energy solution.
The M80, a hybrid-electric aircraft with 800 nautical miles (1482 km) of range, 40% increased energy efficiency, and no impact on infrastructure, is being developed by Maeve. Maeve has refined the aircraft concept to meet best-in-class requirements in terms of lead time, energy consumption, passenger capacity, and range.
The Maeve M80 is a revolutionary aircraft that combines the efficiency of a turboprop with the performance of a jet. With its newly integrated hybrid propulsion system and clean sheet design, the M80 significantly reduces mission energy and fuel consumption. Because of this, the M80 is the ideal substitute for turboprops and regional jets.
Maeve has a comprehensive integrated product development plan based on the knowledge and insights gained from multiple aircraft programmes and their industrial ramp-up, with an eye towards Entry-In-Service in 2031. Since a clean-sheet aircraft design like this calls for the greatest team in the business and a quick organisational ramp-up, a number of aviation professionals have joined Maeve for this next development phase. These specialists will work out of Maeve’s new location, which is close to Munich at the Oberpfaffenhofen Airport.
Aerospace
Airbus and BMW Group launch Quantum Mobility Quest
Airbus and BMW Group have joined forces to initiate a groundbreaking global Quantum Computing Challenge named “The Quantum Mobility Quest.” This unprecedented collaboration aims to address longstanding challenges in aviation and automotive industries that traditional computers have been unable to overcome.
Marking a historic milestone, this challenge represents the inaugural endeavor of its kind, uniting two major players in their respective industries to leverage quantum technologies for tangible industrial applications. The objective is to unlock possibilities that can lead to the development of more efficient, sustainable, and secure solutions, shaping the future of transportation.
Even the most advanced computers available today cannot perform some of the most complex operations. However, quantum computing has the potential to greatly increase computational power. This cutting-edge technology may be especially important in modelling different industrial and operational processes for data-driven industries such as transportation, providing avenues to influence the development of future mobility goods and services.
Prospective challengers are requested to choose one or more of the following problem statements: enhanced corrosion inhibition with quantum simulation, future automated mobility with quantum machine learning, more sustainable supply chain with quantum optimisation, and improved aerodynamics design with quantum solvers. Besides, applicants may submit their own quantum technologies, which could be used to create native applications in the transportation industry that yet to be explored in the transportation sector.
By the end of 2024, a jury made up of top quantum experts from around the world will review the submitted proposals in collaboration with experts from Airbus, BMW Group, and AWS. The winning team in each of the five challenges will receive a €30,000 prize.
Registration opens today, and submissions will be accepted from mid-January through April 30, 2024 here: www.thequantuminsider.com/quantum-challenge.
Aerospace
Is United Airlines implementing a self-serve snack bar on its latest A321neo?
United Airlines is addressing the challenges faced by airline crews in serving passengers, a task that can be quite demanding and lead to fatigue.
To enhance passenger experience and alleviate crew workload, the airline is introducing an innovative product—an onboard self-serve snack bar.
Implement this new approach on its latest aircraft
Currently in the trial and testing phase with airline staff, the self-serve snack bar aims to gauge its convenience for in-flight service. United Airlines is set to implement this new approach on its latest aircraft, the Airbus A321neo.
Passengers will have the opportunity to independently access complimentary refreshments without relying on flight attendants to bring them.
The airline emphasizes that the kiosks will provide a limited supply of water and snacks typically offered during complimentary service.
Piloting this concept on its Airbus A321neo
This forward-thinking initiative aims to reduce crew fatigue, addressing the challenges associated with accommodating various passenger demands during in-flight service.
The self-serve kiosk will only become accessible after the airline staff completes their initial round of service. This new approach marks a departure from the traditional method of waiting for the cabin crew to navigate the aisle with a food and beverage cart.
United Airlines is piloting this concept on its Airbus A321neo, with the inaugural flight scheduled for November 30 departing from Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
The new aircraft also offers:
- United’s new domestic first-class seat, with wireless charging and more privacy
- Larger overhead bins with space for every passenger’s roll aboard bag
- High-speed Wi-Fi with streaming capabilities
- Bluetooth connectivity
- LED lighting designed to create a modern, calming atmosphere
The A321neo is just the latest addition to United’s fleet as progress continues on the airline’s ambitious United Next growth strategy; United expects to take delivery of about 800 new narrowbody and widebody aircraft between 2023 and the end of 2032, while retrofitting existing narrowbody aircraft with United’s Signature Interior.
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