Fuel efficiency: new dimension in aircraft design

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Automot. Eng. (N.Y.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5379953

In 1970, fuel costs were 15 to 20% of airplane direct operating costs; today, they are 30 to 40%. Every 1% improvement in fleet fuel economy will save 100 million gallons of aircraft fuel per year in domestic commercial aircraft alone. Fuel efficiency is the new dimension in aircraft design. Sources of fuel economy improvements projected for the 1980's are discussed. These include: (1) increased wingspan with supercritical airfoils; (2) active control surfaces; (3) ''mixed-flow'' nacelle designs; and (4) use of advanced, lightweight composite materials. During the 1990's, further achievements in aircraft fuel economy may come from: (1) laminar flow control (reduced skin friction); (2) advanced turboprop aircraft for short and medium haul; (3) liquid-hydrogen-fueled transport aircraft; and (4) all-wing aircraft concepts.

• OSTI ID: 5379953
• Journal Information: Automot. Eng. (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Automot. Eng. (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 85:11; ISSN AUEGB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
080600 -- Hydrogen-- Industrial & Commercial Use-- (-1989)
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330600* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Vehicle Design Factors
330800 -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
AERODYNAMICS
AIRCRAFT
AIRFOILS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
DESIGN
ENGINES
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
FUEL ECONOMY
FUELS
HYDROGEN FUELS
LAMINAR FLOW
MECHANICS
SYNTHETIC FUELS
TURBOJET ENGINES