Aircraft Fuel Savings in Jet Streams by Maximising Features of Flight Mechanics and Navigation

Abstract

Performance enhancement and cost reduction are driving forces in today's airline industry. In a world of cost pressures and escalating charges, research was conducted into better use of jet streams as a means of reducing costs. When operating on international airline routes, specific features of flight mechanics were adapted and tailored to fit a B747-200 aircraft, major emphasis being placed on intercepting, or avoiding where necessary, the high energy jet stream winds of the global weather system, adjusting flight profiles and modifying route structures. Operations were conducted both into wind and down wind, over a period of five years. Techniques employed show fuel may be saved regardless of the wind being a tailwind or headwind. Both fuel and time have a significant bearing on airline direct operating costs: savings of more than 1·1 percent being made on fuel and 0·786 percent on time. Limitations on using the techniques to gain maximum benefit are related to the high volume of aircraft blocking all major airways, and better quality, real time weather forecasts. The discussion looks at ways of improving the use of jet streams, as the world's airline traffic continues to grow. Forecasting upper winds, particularly in oceanic areas, needs to improve if airlines are to derive maximum benefits from these winds. There is need for further study utilising other aircraft types to ascertain what savings can result. Initial results were encouraging, using a Tristar L1011 aircraft.