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Formation flight investigation for highly efficient future civil transport aircraft

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2016

G.J. Durango ,
C. Lawson  and
A.Z. Shahneh
G.J. Durango
Affiliation:
School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, CranfieldUK
C. Lawson*
Affiliation:
School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, CranfieldUK
A.Z. Shahneh
Affiliation:
School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing, Cranfield University, CranfieldUK
*
c.p.lawson@cranfield.ac.uk
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Abstract

Formation flight could greatly assist the air transport industry in tackling the challenges of environmental impact, excessive reliance on fuel and overcapacity. Previous studies have shown drag reductions leading to significant fuel savings for aircraft in formation relative to their solo flight. Safety is guaranteed with the use of extended formation distances, and practical implementation issues could be solved in the near future. Since studies so far have focused on existing aircraft configurations and technology, a case study using a strut-braced wing airliner was carried out to ascertain its applicability to less conventional craft. The present results did not indicate such clear-cut benefits. If formation flight is to be successful and beneficial for the next generations of aircraft, it will be vital to consider its interaction with new technologies developed for highly efficient operation, in particular those aimed at reduction of aircraft drag such as laminar flow, and to do so early in the design of aerospace vehicles and wider systems.

Keywords

Extended formation flightunconventional airlinernatural laminar flow
Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 120 , Issue 1229 , July 2016 , pp. 1081 - 1100
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2016 

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