Aerospace

Can the tracking of in-flight catering improve airline sustainability.

How can more precise tracking of in-flight catering – from meal and beverage service to the collection and disposal of waste – lead to more sustainable air travel?

As we all know, digital technologies are very innovative. In one them Airbus has implemented automatic data collection for passenger information, onboard meal consumption, and tracking the amount of leftover food and beverages. Airlines might optimise their catering services and better manage after-meal disposal by integrating such data into an artificial intelligence-driven system, which could result in double-digit CO2 emissions reductions through weight reduction and fuel savings.

Elements of this solution have been optimised in realistic conditions aboard the Airspace Explorer. Airbus uses a dedicated cross-programme flight test platform to test and demonstrate new innovations for future aircraft cabins.

The volume of airline cabin waste is expected to double by 2030.

“An estimated 1.43 kilograms of cabin waste is generated by each passenger per flight, with unused food and drinks calculating more than 20%,” clarified by Michael Bauer, an Airbus Cabin and Cargo Architect. “The situation is more complicated with the prediction that overall airline cabin waste, which amounted 6.1 million tonnes in 2018, will more than double by 2030.

The IATA survey will be published in 2021. The Food Scanner, an artificial intelligence-enabled device that analyses the composition of food in a simple point-and-shoot process, is Airbus’ solution for tracking and controlling in-flight catering. It works on the same principle as scanners, which are becoming more common in supermarkets today.

The Food Scanner’s downward-facing camera recognizes what is on the meal tray as the cabin attendant pulls it out of the trolley during in-flight service, and then images what is left when the tray is returned. The beverage bottles and cans that are typically placed atop the trolly are tracked by a horizontally oriented barcode scanner.

Optimising data from the Food Scanner’s utilisation.

Data from the Food Scanner can be processed using a separate, off-board cloud-hosted dashboard that generates KPIs (key performance indicators) based on trends and statistics, allowing for highly accurate catering planning and food/beverage consumption prediction. This can be further optimised by making a pre-flight meal ordering system available to passengers, which is already being used by a growing number of airlines, particularly for their premium passengers.

Airbus patents economy-class ‘sleep pods’(Opens in a new browser tab)

Airbus solution promises better management of the amount of food produced at the source, as well as a reduction in dedicated catering space aboard the aircraft, and improvement in waste collection and separation. Furthermore, it would limit the amount of food and beverages discarded upon arrival, with some countries requiring such waste to be burned.

Introduction of the artificial intelligence-enabled Airbus Food Scanner.

“The initial feedback from airlines and cabin crews was positive,” said Sascha Thoerner, Airbus’s Airspace Explorer Programme Architect. ”Displaying the Food Scanner in such a realistic environment with end-to-end connectivity is a critical step toward maturing this system.” Airbus would be able to collaborate with potential partners, such as airlines, caterers, and system manufacturers, on in-service trials, leading to eventual production.”

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Airbus’ Airspace Explorer is testing and highlighting a number of customer-centric innovations on a specially configured A350-900 flight test aircraft outfitted with an award-winning Airspace cabin. These developments are mainly focused on the passenger experience, digitalisation, onboard health, and sustainability.

Aerospace

Which is bigger 777x or 787 aircraft ?

The 777X is a new series of the Boeing 777 family and is designed to be larger and more efficient than its predecessor. It features two variants: the 777-8 and the 777-9, being the larger of the two.

The Boeing 777X emerges as the larger sibling within the Boeing family, representing a significant leap forward in both size and efficiency. Comprising two variants, the 777-8 and the 777-9, the latter takes the crown as the larger of the two. With its expansive fuselage and impressive wingspan, the 777X is tailored for long-range journeys and boasts a substantial passenger capacity.

On the other hand, the Boeing 787, affectionately known as the Dreamliner, occupies a niche in the market as a smaller yet formidable aircraft designed for medium to long-range flights. Its distinguishing feature lies in its composite fuselage, a technological marvel that renders it lighter and more fuel-efficient compared to conventional aluminum counterparts. The Boeing 777X is larger than the Boeing 787 aircraft.

When it comes to passenger capacity, the 777-9 reigns supreme, typically accommodating a sizeable contingent of 400-425 passengers in its standard configuration. In contrast, the 787, with its more modest dimensions, typically carries between 240-290 passengers, depending on the variant and layout.

One of the remarkable innovations introduced with the 777X is its folding wingtips, a feature designed to address the logistical challenges of accommodating such a large aircraft in conventional airport gates. These folding wingtips enable the 777X to retract its wings, allowing it to fit into gates designed for smaller aircraft while still reaping the benefits of an extended wingspan during flight, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and operational flexibility

Aerospace

China Secures Production Certificate for Mass Production of Pilotless eVTOL Aircraft

EHang

The first passenger-carrying pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the world, the EH216-S, has received the Production Certificate for its eVTOL aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

This is a significant milestone for EHang Holdings Limited, the leading UAM technology platform company in the world. This outstanding accomplishment is another big step towards mass manufacturing for the eVTOL aircraft and the ensuing commercial operations, building on the ground-breaking acquisition of the Type Certificate and the Standard Airworthiness Certificate for the EH216-S.

The PC is a crucial certificate that the aircraft maker receives from the CAAC, the country’s aviation authority. By obtaining this certificate, EHang has demonstrated that it has set up a quality management system for mass production that satisfies the airworthiness regulation standards set forth by the CAAC, and the company has been given permission to continue producing mass quantities.

It is also a strong guarantee of the calibre of the goods made by EHang. Raw materials, supplier management, manufacturing organisation, production quality control, aircraft pre-delivery test, after-sales repair and maintenance, etc. are all included in the mass production quality management system for the EH216-S.

To ensure that every aircraft and its components that roll off the production line strictly adhere to the approved type design and safety requirements, the system sets clear guidelines and documentation for every step in the production procedure. This ensures comprehensive traceability and safety control.

Aerospace

Four Airbus A380 Superjumbos lined up to be scrapped

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In a strategic move aimed at reclaiming valuable resources from the iconic Airbus A380 aircraft, VAS Aero Services and Dr. Peters Group have announced a significant collaboration.

This partnership marks a milestone in aviation logistics and aftermarket services, with four of these colossal planes slated for teardown and redistribution of used serviceable material (USM).

The venture between VAS Aero Services, renowned for its expertise in aircraft dismantlement, and Dr. Peters Group, a prominent Germany-based investment fund management firm, underscores a commitment to sustainable aviation practices. This isn’t their first foray into scrapping A380s; their successful partnership has already seen the dismantlement of these aircraft, making them pioneers in this niche.

Under the agreement, the latest consignment brings the tally to eight A380s entrusted to VAS by Dr. Peters Group. Managing Director Christian Mailly of Dr. Peters Group emphasized the trust placed in VAS, citing their unparalleled capabilities in dismantlement and aftermarket sales network. It’s a strategic move in response to the growing demand for quality USM parts, particularly with the resurgence in reliance on the A380.

Notably, the teardown process will be carried out at various locations, optimizing the positioning of harvested parts to cater to different markets. While some parts will be positioned in Europe to support operators in the region and the Middle East, others will remain in the Asia-Pacific region. This meticulous strategy ensures efficient access to spare parts, benefiting MROs and airlines across these markets.

The decision to retire these A380s comes at a time when operators are reassessing fleet strategies amidst evolving market dynamics. Despite initial plans for quick retirement due to the emergence of more fuel-efficient alternatives, factors such as a rebound in long-haul demand and delays in new widebody deliveries have prompted operators to reconsider. The A380, with its unique capacity and capabilities, presents a practical solution for short-term capacity management.