Possessing a V-shape with an ergonomic design suitable for high-speed flight, the idea of the Flying-V aircraft makes many people eagerly waiting for such an aircraft to appear in real life in the future.
It may seem strange at first glance, but the Flying-V, this V-shaped aircraft has impressive fuel economy, ergonomic design, and passenger capacity not inferior to current long-body civilian airplanes.
Aircraft emissions are a global concern. But until we find a good enough fuel source to replace gasoline and oil, it will be difficult to reduce emissions from air travel.
However, the Flying-V aircraft research project promises to help solve this problem in the near future. The Flying-V aircraft research project is the result of an investment by the Dutch national airline KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
The Flying-V project is the work of Justus Benad, who was an engineering student at the University of Berlin and developed by researchers at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands (TU Delft).
Unlike most traditional aircraft designs, the Flying-V incorporates a passenger cabin, fuel and cargo tanks on the sidewalls.
As revealed, the Flying-V consumes 20% less fuel than the A350-900, while it can carry around 314 passengers, which is almost the same as the number of 300-350 passengers of the Airbus A350. .
With a wingspan of 65 meters, the aircraft is suitable for all existing airport and freight infrastructure in the world.
Mr. Pieter Elbers, CEO and Chairman of KLM, believes that the partnership with TU Delft will help increase the sustainability of the aviation industry.
However, one problem with this aircraft is its ability to turn and move in the sky. With conventional aircraft models, one of its wings will raise and the other will lower to change the direction of the aircraft.
Not to mention that previously, passengers were always seated along the fuselage and thus created a balance and a feeling of stability. But with the design of the seats along the sides of the plane, the feeling of moving can feel more like a roller coaster than sitting on an airplane.
Roelof Vos, Head of the Flying-V research project at TU Delft, said innovation in aircraft design is necessary for high efficiency in transportation and beyond, for the development of electric aircraft.
“We cannot electrify the whole fleet because the plane which is electrified becomes too heavy and it is difficult to cross the Atlantic using only electricity,” Vos said. This technology is not possible even in the next 30 years. So we need to come up with new technologies to reduce fuel consumption in different ways. “
Currently, the aviation industry contributes around 2.5% of the world’s CO2 emissions and that number will continue to rise if people don’t do something more sustainable. It is estimated that by 2050 that number could reach 5%.
Whether or not an aircraft’s energy efficiency can be increased depends largely on its aerodynamic design, especially the weight of the aircraft.
The team plans to continue changing the aircraft model in September. A mock-up of the cabin’s new design will open to the public at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in October.
It is expected that if the research is completed, this aircraft will be able to enter commercial operation from 2040 to 2050. Therefore, until then, the design and characteristics of this aircraft project will change a lot.
