A new airplane design called ‘Flying V’ could significantly cut aviation emissions. Instead of one metal tube filled with passengers and cargo, the fuselage is flattened, split into two and combined with the wings. It makes the aircraft lighter and more aerodynamic, which means it doesn’t need as much fuel as normal planes. The Flying V is being developed at Delft University of Technology, with support form Airbus and KLM.
The team has successfully test-flown a 2.75m-long model. A full-sized version would use 20% less fuel than modern airplanes, while carrying the same number of passengers and the same volume of cargo. It could also be adapted to run on liquid hydrogen which would cut the Flying V’s emissions to zero. This would, however, cut its range and cargo capacity by 35% and 70% respectively. Aviation causes 2.5% of global CO2 emissions though only 11% of people ever fly. The air travel industry is aiming to cut carbon emissions by 50% no later than 2050.
In the late summer of 2020, a team of researchers, engineers and a drone pilot of TU Delft traveled to an airbase in Germany for the first real test flight of the scaled flight model of the Flying-V. After a period of extensive wind tunnel testing and a series of ground tests in the Netherlands, it was time to perform the first flight and obtain an impression of the flight characteristics. The aircraft had a very successful maiden flight.
Project leader Dr Roelof Vos and his team of researchers and engineers took the 22.5 kg and 3 m wide scale model of the Flying-V for flight tests to a well-guarded airbase in Germany, where they could work together with a team from Airbus. The pilot’s task was to take-off, fly a number of test manoeuvres and approaches until the batteries were nearly empty and land.
One of our worries was that the aircraft might have some difficulty lifting-off, since previous calculations had shown that ‘rotation’ could be an issue. The team optimized the scaled flight model to prevent the issue but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. You need to fly to know for sure.
Dr Roelof Vos, Flying V project leader
“One of our worries was that the aircraft might have some difficulty lifting-off, since previous calculations had shown that ‘rotation’ could be an issue,” said Vos. “The team optimized the scaled flight model to prevent the issue but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. You need to fly to know for sure.”
Rotation on take-off was performed easily and occurred at a speed of 80 km/h. The plane’s thrust was good and flight speeds and angles were as predicted. But testing new technology is never straightforward. The team had to change the centre of gravity of the aircraft and fix the antenna to improve telemetry. The flight has now also confirmed that the current design still shows too much ‘Dutch roll’, causing a slightly rough landing.
A next step for the team is to use the data collected during the flight for an aerodynamic (software) model of the aircraft. This will make it possible to program it in a flight simulator to be used in future research, while further improving the flight characteristics. The team will also prepare the scale model for future flight tests.
The Flying-V is a design for a highly energy-efficient long-distance airplane. The aircraft’s design integrates the passenger cabin, the cargo hold and the fuel tanks in the wings, creating a spectacular V-shape. KLM has been a partner in the project since 2019. Also due to their support, the project team has been able to build this scale model.
It was first presented at the 100th anniversary of KLM in October 2019. Various business partners are now involved in the project, including Airbus. Airbus is also an explicit supporter for the first flight. The partners are working together on a research plan to fine-tune the concept. Next step is to provide the Flying-V with sustainable propulsion, taking into account that the design seems highly suitable to carry liquid hydrogen instead of kerosene.
