KLM and TU Delft have announced a collaboration aimed at making aviation more sustainable. Among other things, KLM will support the university in researching an entirely new aircraft concept.
The collaboration was recently announced at IATA's annual conference in Seoul. The collaboration project includes KLM's contribution to TU Delft's research of an innovative aircraft concept called the Flying V. It involves an entirely new approach to aircraft design and provides a glimpse into future sustainable long-haul flying, TU Delft said in a press release.
In the wing
The aircraft design, in which the passenger cabin, cargo deck and fuel tanks are integrated into the wing, uses 20% less fuel than the Airbus A350, today's most modern aircraft, due to a better aerodynamic shape and lower weight. In October, a flying scale model and a full-size segment of the interior will be officially presented to the public during the KLM Experience Days at Schiphol Airport. These days are organised to mark KLM's 100th anniversary.
Originally designed as a possible aircraft design for the future, the aircraft can be compared to today's most advanced aircraft, the Airbus A350. Although the aircraft is shorter than an A350, it does have the same wingspan. As a result, the Flying-V makes trouble-free use of current airport infrastructure, such as gates and taxiways, and fits in the same hangar as the A350. In addition, the Flying-V carries about the same number of passengers - 314 in the standard configuration - and the same amount of cargo, i.e. 160m3. The Flying-V is smaller than the A350, which reduces drag.
Scaling up sustainability
KLM chief executive officer Pieter Elbers: "KLM has developed in recent years as a pioneer in sustainability in the aviation sector. The development of aviation has brought much to the world, as it allows us to connect people. This privilege comes with a great responsibility for our planet. KLM takes this very seriously and has therefore been investing in sustainability at various levels for years. We are proud of the progressive cooperation with TU Delft. This collaboration fits well with KLM's strategy and is an important milestone for us in the further upscaling towards sustainable aviation."
Dean of TU Delft's Faculty of Aerospace Engineering Henri Werij: "We are extremely happy to work with our trusted partner KLM on our joint mission to make aviation more sustainable. Radically new and much more fuel-efficient aircraft designs, such as the Flying-V, are important in this, but of course also new ways of propulsion. Our ultimate goal: emission-free flying. This collaboration with KLM offers a great opportunity to actually bring about change."
Better passenger experience
The Flying-V also gives researchers a unique opportunity to improve the passenger experience in an aircraft, from the seating distribution in the wings to the design of the seats and toilets. Everything has to be as light as possible, to make the most of the efficiency gains of the new aircraft design. Passenger comfort is also considered.
The Flying-V flies with the most energy-efficient jet engines on the market. In its current design, the Flying-V still flies on paraffin, but the aircraft can be easily adapted to innovations in propulsion, such as electric-assisted jet engines.
Source: TU Delft.
