Le "ecoJet" par EasyJet!

[Invité Rob]

EasyJet reveals eco-friendly aircraft concept

By Victoria Moores

UK budget carrier easyJet has revealed an aircraft design concept, which it claims could deliver 50% improvements to fuel efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions.

A model of the 'EasyJet EcoJet' concept aircraft, which features two rear-mounted open rotor engines integrated into the tail plane, was presented by EasyJet CEO Andrew Harrison during a press conference on the sidelines of the Low Cost Air Transport Summit in London this morning.

The budget carrier has designed the aircraft internally off the back of the latest airframer and engine manufacturer technologies, claiming that it could be ready for operation by 2015.

Harrison says: "The technology is already there to deliver the next step change. This is not Star Trek, this is within our grasp.

"This is what the next generation of aircraft will look like and we are working with the manufacturers to get this technology delivered in 2015."

EasyJet says that the concept, compared with modern aircraft like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, would be 25% quieter and 50% more fuel efficient, while producing 50% less carbon dioxide and 75% less NOx.

Integrated high into the tail plane to reduce ground noise, the open rotor engines will deliver a 25% CO2 and fuel efficiency improvement, claims EasyJet.

The type's fuselage and wings would be manufactured from lightweight composite materials, like those used on the Boeing 787, delivering a further 15% in efficiencies. The wings have the latest laminar flow technology and are located further aft than current designs to balance the weight of the engines.

A further 10% in fuel efficiency and CO2 gains would stem from the type's avionics, linked with the latest air traffic control technologies.

Harrison says: "We are talking to Boeing and Airbus. Both manufacturers are working on the next generation of aircraft. This design, that we are talking to the manufacturers about, wouldn't be certified, but a lot of aeronautical engineering has gone into developing this model."

He says that it is proving difficult to pin Boeing and Airbus down to a delivery date for their new single aisle aircraft, but says that airline demand could push them into action to achieve his 2015 target.

"What we are saying to them is that this is what we, the customer, want you to build. Get on with it and develop it by 2015," says Harrison.

Embraer has not been included in the talks, as Harrison believes that the Brazilian manufacturer's aircraft would be too small for EasyJet's needs.

He adds that China is an unlikely design source for the concept aircraft, although the country may be used by Airbus or Boeing for final production.

EasyJet has designed the aircraft internally, with no direct input from Boeing or Airbus. But an EasyJet spokesman says that the manufacturers have seen images of the design. He adds that there is nothing on the concept design which would be unfamiliar to the manufacturers.

Harrison says: "Airbus is going to be six to seven years behind in the battle for the mid-range aircraft. What we are saying to Airbus is make sure you're ready in the battle for short-haul aircraft.

"We are spending £4 billion on aircraft. They are listening to us."

A small team of trained aeronautical engineers within EasyJet designed the concept.

One of the designers, who confesses to being a little "rusty" in his aeronautical engineering skills, says: "We are more active in airlines than in aeronautical engineering, but we think that it's credible."

Link:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/06/14/214641/easyjet-reveals-eco-friendly-aircraft-concept.html

[Davout]

C'est une façon pour easy jet de faire comprendre aux constructeurs aéronautiques qu'il y a un marché pour les appareils moyens courriers qui consomment peu?

Le retour du turbopropulseur (qui consomment moins qu'un réacteur) pour les lignes moyennes en est la preuve (voir le succès des ATR).

Il faudra attendre les remplacants des Boeing 737 et Airbus A320 pour constater la prise en compte de la consommation par les constructeurs...

Cela dit, pour les moyens courriers Bombardier, Embraer et bientôt Sukhoï sont en embuscade...

[P4]

Ils se font un coup de pub sur le dos de Boeing et d'Airbus , plus de réductions pour eux .

[Invité Rob]

Le retour du turbopropulseur (qui consomment moins qu'un réacteur) pour les lignes moyennes en est la preuve (voir le succès des ATR).

Je pense que "Open rotor" n'est pas "turboprop" comme dans les ATRs. "Open Rotor" ("Propfan") est une version du "turbofan" avec un "bypass ratio" tres grand (ca. 30:1).

[Bruno]

Super design ce projet ! merci Robert pour ce post :lol:. J'espère qu'Airbus et Boeing ne vont pas se contenter d'une formule classique (réacteurs sous les ailes) pour remplacer les A320 et Boeing 737, car ça ne ferait gagner que 10 à 15% de consommation, et quelque malheureux décibels ; insuffisant par rapport à l'enjeu écologique et économique des décennies à venir. Il faudra effectivement qu'ils prennent un risque technologique en adoptant une configuration différente pour faire des modèles qui apportent un véritable plus aux compagnies (conso réduite de 25 à 30% = billets moins chers et avions davantage remplis) et à l'environnement (beaucoup moins de bruit et de rejets nocifs) ...

[Invité Rob]

EasyJet achete beaucoup d'avions (ils ont commande des centaines avions d'Airbus), quand il dit une chose, Airbus et Boeing ecoute (comme avec beaucoup des grands acheteurs). Une chose interessant est que les moteurs sont base sur un design du Rolls-Royce.

EasyJet unveils low-carbon 'eco-plane'

By David Millward. Transport Correspondent

Last Updated: 8:22am BST 15/06/2007

EasyJet, the low-cost airline, has unveiled a design for a new "eco-plane", capable of cutting CO2 emissions in half by 2015.

EasyJet's Andy Harrison unveils new 'eco-jet' design

With the no-frills end of the market under attack for the surge in aviation and its impact on climate change, Andy Harrison, the company’s chief executive, has pinned his hopes on technology to improve the industry’s image.

The model, which was unveiled as low-cost carriers gathered for their own summit in central London, was drawn up by strategic planners within the company.

It is based on technologies already being developed by aircraft manufacturers, which easyJet insisted could be in place for shorthaul aircraft within eight years.

The futuristic plane would be largely built of carbon composite, the material already being used in the manufacture of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, which will be rolled out of the hangar in Seattle next month.

The engines – based on a Rolls Royce design – would be mounted at the rear of the plane, between a double tailfin. Equipped with rotor blades, mounted behind the engines, the plane would be more fuel efficient but slower than current models.

The prototype would produce a plane which also produced 75 per cent less nitrogen oxide. The noise level would be reduced by around 25 per cent - less than the 50 per cent set out as a target for 2020 by the EU-funded Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe.

The design, in reality, represents something of a wishlist drawn up by engineers working for easyJet, who admitted that they were "a bit rusty".

But Mr Harrison, EasyJet’s head, insisted that the company’s clout in the market – with it planning to double its 130-strong fleet – meant that it could influence the next generation of planes.

"The ideas are not whacky," said one industry source, pointing out that major manufacturers have been looking at similar technology.

There was a cautions welcome from one of the world’s leading aircraft builders, Boeing.

"We applaud EasyJet’s contributions and suggestions to the aviation industry to aggressively improve the environmental performance of our products," a spokesman said.

"The development of technology and application to the aircraft of the future will play a key role in accomplishing that objective.

"Our own advanced concept team is looking at a number of similar initiatives on these lines."

Friends of the Earth, the environmental group, remained sceptical.

"It is important that the aviation industry looks at ways to significantly reduce its impact on climate change," said Richard Dyer, the group’s aviation campaigner.

"But unless this includes massive cuts in the anticipated growth in air travel, it is unlikely to be achieved.

"Scientists are already warning that the expected rise in aviation emissions will make it all-but-impossible to meet our targets for tackling climate change.

"This is why government action is desperately needed to make the cost of flying reflect the environmental damage it causes, to prevent airport expansion and to make alternatives to flying like high-speed rail more attractive."

Link.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/15/necojet115.xml

[Atlantis]

Problème: Airbus et Boing ne voudront jamais être les premiers à prendre un tel risque tecnologique, peut-être Bombardier, Embraer ou un nouveau venu pourait faire ce pari qui est plus un quite ou double pour ces avioneurs. En effet, s' ils reussissent, ils deviendront d'embler le troisième laron que les compagnies aériennes désirent pour sortir du duopole Airbus-Boeing, sinon ce sera leur faillite. Qui aura ce culot...et les "reins" financier assez solides? Un parteneria Sukkoi et chinois, ou Embraer et Mistubichi?

[Neuron]

Je crois que certains sous estiment grandement la puissance industrielle et financière d'Airbus et Boeing. Airbus est le meilleur ennemi de Boeing et inversement.

Ils tiennent à ne rester que deux sur le marché, et n'hésiteront pas à s'allier , bien evidemment pas publiquement, pour qu'un numéro 3 n'apparaisse pas.

Comparé à une alliance de ces deux géants, même Embraer, Bombardier , RRJ et AVIC réunis font figures de nains, malgré leurs réels succès (enfin surtout pour bombardier et embraer).

[Invité Rob]

A cote le "EcoJet", ici le "Environmentally Friendly Engine" par "Rolls-Royce". C'est un programme avec un "value" de 95 million de livres (ca. 147 millions d'euros) pour un moteur qui a moins d'emission. Le demonstrateur va commencer l'operation en 2008. Une choose interessant est que le demonstrateur va paye en part par le "MoD" britannique et va "assembled" en Bristol, ou normalement "Rolls-Royce" assemble leur moteur militaires.

The environmentally friendly engine programme addresses the challenge of climate change

12 July 2007

The newly appointed Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, is visiting Rolls-Royce in Derby today to see progress on the £95 million Environmentally Friendly Engine (EFE) programme, which is now entering its manufacturing phase.

EFE, which is part of the UK’s National Aerospace Technology Strategy, is an aero engine technology demonstration programme that will validate new technologies aimed at reducing noise, fuel burn and emissions, and integrate and test them in a full engine demonstrator that will run next year.

Launched in 2006 and scheduled to run until the end of 2010, the programme will make a major contribution towards achieving the industry targets of 50 per cent lower CO2 emissions, 80 per cent lower NOx emissions and 50 per cent less noise by 2020, all from a 2000 baseline.

Rolls-Royce is leading the programme and its partners include Bombardier Aerospace, Goodrich Corporation, HS Marston Aerospace and Unison Engine Components and the universities of Birmingham, Cambridge, Loughborough, Oxford, Sheffield and Queens, Belfast.

Sir John Rose, Rolls-Royce Chief Executive, said: "Innovation will be at the heart of society's response to climate change, with new technology having to be applied on an industrial scale if that response is to be effective.

“Building on Rolls-Royce's strong track-record of technological excellence, the Environmentally Friendly Engine programme will develop the advanced technologies required for cleaner and quieter aero engines and will help the aviation industry meet demanding new targets aimed at reducing its environmental footprint.”

More than 50 per cent of the investment in EFE will come directly from the industry partners, with the balance being funded by the UK Government’s Technology Programme, sponsored by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS), the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Defence, Regional Development Agencies in England and the Devolved Administration in Northern Ireland.

Initial component manufacture has begun at the industrial partners’ facilities in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Hucknall, Wolverhampton and Burnley. These latest technology parts will be assembled in an engine demonstrator at Rolls-Royce Bristol, which will undergo a series of test runs in a converted test facility from 2008. The South-West Regional Development Agency is contributing funds to convert the Bristol test facility for EFE use, while the East Midlands Development Agency is funding elements of design and manufacture in Derby and Hucknall.

Notes to editors:

1. Rolls-Royce is a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air. The company is a technology leader, employing 38,000 people in 50 countries, and continues to invest in core technologies, products, people and capabilities in order to broaden and strengthen its product portfolio, improve efficiency and enhance the environmental performance of its products.

2. The latest Rolls-Royce Environment Report was published today. To find out more about the company’s position on climate change and its approach to environmental issues, view the report by visiting www.rolls-royce.com/community/environment

3. Rolls-Royce invests more than £700 million every year on Research and Development, two-thirds of which is aimed at improving the environmental performance of its products and operations. Over £120 million of this programme is dedicated to

innovative technology aimed at improving environmental performance.

4. The Technology Strategy Board, which allocates funding for the programme, is a business-focused Non-Departmental Public Body set up by Government to drive forward innovation and applied technology to benefit the UK economy. From 2005-08, £320 million in funding will be available to businesses to support research and development in key technology areas. The DIUS is the Technology Strategy Board’s sponsor department. For further information: http://www.dti.gov.uk/innovation/technologystrategyboard

5. Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast is an integral part of Bombardier Aerospace, the world’s third largest civil aircraft manufacturer and global leader in regional and business aircraft markets. One of the largest aerospace companies in the UK, it is a world-class centre of excellence and UK leader in the design and manufacture of fuselages, nacelle systems and flight controls, as well as for advanced composites. The company has an extensive supply base of some 800 suppliers throughout the UK and Ireland, and is involved in range of national and European R&D programmes. Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast is leading the power plant nacelle package of the EFE programme. www.bombardier.com

6. Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defence and homeland security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities. For more information visit www.goodrich.com

7. HS Marston Aerospace Limited is a division of Hamilton Sundstrand’s Engine & Control Systems business. Based in Wolverhampton, it is a world-leading supplier of heat transfer and fluid management solutions for the commercial and military aerospace markets, motorsport and electronics cooling industries. With full in house design, manufacture and qualification capabilities, it offers an integrated range of products to meet the most demanding customer requirements. HS Marston Aerospace Limited is undertaking the design, development and manufacture of an advanced technology air cooler (ACAC) and a flexible fuel manifold for the EFE programme. For more information visit www.hsmarston.co.uk

8. Unison Engine Components - Burnley is a production supply and repair centre for gas turbine engine certified sub-assemblies. With a background of decades specialising in design development and supply of combustion, fuel injection and test equipment, Unison will validate alternative lean-burn fuel injection technology on the EFE programme. http://www.smiths-aerospace.com/Systems/Engine-Components/index.asp

L'image du "Environmentally Friendly Engine".