 |
| A320 NEO |
Anew milestone has been
achieved in Airbus’ application of “Sharklets” to its single-aisle product line
with this week’s rollout of the company’s first new-build A320 fitted with the
large wingtip devices, which will reduce fuel burn and enhance aircraft performance.
The aircraft – Airbus’ 5,098th
A320 Family jetliner produced to date – is one of seven that will participate
in the certification test campaign for production-standard Sharklets that
begins next month, logging some 600 hrs, as per airbus industrie.
Results of the tests will lead to
certification of these fuel-saving devices on aircraft with both engine
versions CFM56 an V2500 being offered for the current A320 Family.
Sharklets are offered as an
option on members of the A320 Family now in production, with the first aircraft
scheduled to enter airline service from the fourth quarter of 2012. The
wingtip devices will be standard on Airbus’ new A320neo Family.
Sized at approximately 2.5 metres
tall, Sharklets are specially designed for the Airbus A320 Family and will
reduce fuel burn by up to 3.5 percent – resulting in an annual CO2 reduction of
some 700 tonnes per aircraft.(Airbus release)
How do Sharklets reduce fuel
burn??
Click here to know more.
With the fuel prices soaring high
and fuel constituting major cost in airline operations, aircraft manufacturers
will in time to come leverage all technology, airframe and engine enhancements
to optimize fuel burn.
Let us know your views on whether
there will be a paradigm shift in aircraft design in the future to optimize the
fuel burn and help the emissions cause as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment