Can hydrodynamics and aerodynamics work in tandem to create zero-emission flights?

Humans, since time immemorial, have emulated nature which has resulted in the mind-boggling, innovative inventions we see today. He has always wanted to take to the skies and fly like a bird and hence, created the wonderful airplanes we see today.

Representative | Transpoco

Nature has a solution for almost all the issues we face today if we know where to look and how.

Global warming causing climate change is one of the major issues, we as mankind, face today. Uncontrolled emissions from aircraft are the least we want right now- it is to be noted- aviation accounts for about 2-3% of global carbon emissions.

Does nature perhaps, have a solution for this too?

Turns out, it does.

Shrinking your carbon footprint with "Sharkskin Technology"

Sharks, over millions of years of evolution, have evolved to possess very slightly ribbed skin from smooth skin- which apparently has been found to reduce "drag" during motion.

The aviation industry, for years, has been researching and brainstorming to come up with ways of reducing aerodynamic drag- the lesser the frictional resistance of the aircraft-lesser the overall fuel consumption.

Not surprisingly, this time again, we have turned to nature for advice and the team at AeroShark have taken a page from nature's book, to design a functional biomimetic technology: a film with a barely perceptible ribbed texture of small protrusions – riblet.

Representative | Lufthansa-Technik.com

Lufthansa, in collaboration with BASF-a a leading global chemicals and coatings manufacturer, has devised the riblet, dubbed "AeroShark", which is an adhesive riblet film that is touted to immediately reduce fuel consumption, thereby slashing carbon emissions.

Reportedly, the team at AeroShark has moved to integrate the texture on the exterior of large aircraft.

The millions of prism-shaped "riblets" on the AeroShark film's surface are minuscule- no more than 50 micrometres (1/20th of a millimetre, 2/1000ths of an inch) high. How could something so tiny, possibly facilitate zero carbon emissions?

The AeroSHARK effect | Infographic | Lufthansa Group CleanTech Hub

The adage, "Size doesn't matter" perfectly fits in here as apparently, that is enough to bring considerable changes in overall emissions, even if it accounts for 1-2% of an overall emission reduction. The riblets imitate the properties of sharkskin and therefore optimize the aerodynamics on flow-related parts of an aircraft. Apparently, it can also increase lift, if applied on wings.

Representative | Polymers Paint Colours Journal

The Swiss airline has calculated that if 950 square meters (10,225 sq ft) of this film were to be applied to a Boeing 777, in specific patterns and aligned with the airflow around the fuselage and engine nacelles surfaces, the reduced drag would immediately reduce fuel consumption by 1.1%.

According to CleanTech Hub at Lufthansa Group, the riblets are easy to apply, even on large commercial aircraft. they have already been certified with up to 500 m2 on a Boeing 747-400's lower fuselage and belly fairing. They are designed to be extremely resilient, withstands large temperature shifts and pressure differentials as well as ultraviolet radiation on high flight levels.

Lufthansa had previously announced it would roll it out on its entire cargo freight fleet as well – a further 10 Boeing 777s, representing 3,700 tons of jet fuel savings and 11,700 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided every year.

Lufthansa Group

Scaling up this savings potential to a global fleet of around 24,000 aircraft, AeroSHARK could even save around two million tons of kerosene and around 6.3 million tons of CO2 every year.

And the best part? This technology can be applied to all kinds of aircraft with a similar effect- probably why Lufthansa Technik already plans to certify it for additional surfaces and aircraft types shortly.

https://youtu.be/-m0EiUyoQ48

Lufthansa-Technik

Responsibility for the environment and society is a key strategic topic for us. We have always played a leading role in introducing environmentally friendly technologies. The new sharkskin technology for aircraft shows what strong and highly innovative partners can achieve collectively for the environment. This will help us to achieve our goal of climate neutrality by 2050says Christina Foerster, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG with responsibility for sustainability

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Freight Waves

The stretched version of the 787-9-->the 787-10 is the newest and longest member of the super-efficient 787 families. Often compared with the long-range, wide-body- A350, manufactured by Airbus in response to the 787 Dreamliner, the two incorporate the most efficient technology available.

The Guardian

The A350 can handle more passengers than the B787 in a two-class configuration, while the B787 takes the top spot when it comes to fuel efficiency. In other words, the A350 obviously has a longer range while the B787 simply burns the fuel better.

Representative | Arabian Aerospace

If reports are anything to go by, Boeing is now in plans of launching a High Gross Weight (HGW) version of the 787-10-the largest variant of the Dreamliner family.

Why would Boeing go for a new design, now that it is already beset with numerous 787 production and quality issues?

Despite the 787-10's range being lesser than other variants of the family, it has played a significant role in the trans-Atlantic, before the pandemic. The aircraft type has also often been deployed on trans-pacific routes such as San Francisco – Auckland and Los Angeles – Shanghai Pudong.

Reportedly, Air New Zealand, which is planning to retire its entire 777 aircraft and simplify its long-haul fleet to a single type, has held talks with Boeing for a higher MTOW version of the 787-10 so that the airline can use these aircraft without cargo and passenger restrictions on its transpacific routes to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver.

The A350 vs B787

Representative | Source

The 787-10 has a capacity of seating up to 440 passengers with a maximum range of  6,430NM (7,400 miles). The A350 can fly  8,100NM (9,320 miles) at the same passenger capacity as the 787. The massive difference in the overall range restricts the 787 to operate only on regional or select long-haul routes, with ultra-long routes totally out of the cards. Boeing clearly wanted that to change, which is quite evident from its recent announcement.

The B787-10 ER (Extended Range)

As the very name suggests, the reprised model would have a higher take-off weight (MTOW) and carry more fuel for extended operations.

Representative | Quartz

While the concept of an "extended range" is not new to the 787-10, basically, it would allow:

Easy replacement of the 777-200ER with more than 25% improved fuel efficiency, also not withstanding the added benefit of adding upto 42 seats moreAddition of 60 extra seats for the same range as in for an A330-900 neo. This would tactically reduce operational costs by 17% while also allowing for 20% additional payload.A noteworthy payload advantage over the -900 version of the A350, with 9 more seats, a 2% lower trip, and 8% lower cost per seat

Reportedly, the High Gross Weight (HGW) version of the 787-10 would be a boon for several operators in the transpacific market to ultimately replace their entire ageing fleet of the 777s, without adding a new group of pilots.

The "extended range"-a feature of the 787-10 would once again bring the aircraft type into the spotlight after having been replaced over for other types in the past, for instance, when Emirates preferred to choose the 787-9 over -10 citing the latter's lack of overall range.

Furthermore, there are also talks of an HGW version of the B787-9 in the making. The 787-9 has had a pivotal role in ultra-long-range flights since its inception-making 5 of the 10 longest flights in the world.

787-9 | Representative | Airways Magazine

The -9 has been Qantas’ test model on experimental Project Sunrise flights between Sydney to New York and London Heathrow. Project Sunrise is an ambitious initiative by Qantas to operate the world's longest nonstop flights, which would allow travellers to fly between London and New York to the eastern Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne. The inaugural flights of Project Sunrise – named the double sunrises which passengers and crew would experience on these epic journeys – were initially slated for 2023.

Representative | Source

The completion of the 787-9 HGW could help realize Qantas’ dream and initiate a new era of ultra-long-range flights.

Historically, rolling out the "Extended Range(s)" version of in-service flights have worked wonders for the Boeing company, which again, is quite evident from the record sales of the 767-300ER and 777-300ER.

That said, although the Dreamliner program is shrouded with numerous production and quality issues, there's still hope about the continuation of the 787 programs.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Rishworth Aviation

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has dismissed a petition filed by budget carrier Go Airlines against an order passed by the NCLT allowing withdrawal of insolvency proceedings against Sovika Aviation Services.

The Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had on September 23, 2021, allowed the Section 12A application filed by the Resolution Professional for withdrawal of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) against Sovika Aviation Services.

In May 2021, GoAir was rebranded as Go First.

Go Airline was also an operational creditor, which after coming to know about the process filed its claim on September 6, 2021. A response to it was sent by the Resolution Professional on September 10, 2021. The Resolution Professional was in the process of verification of the claims when the application under Section 12A was allowed by the NCLT on September 23, 2021.

Sovika Aviation is a provider of services ranging from aircraft management, ground handling and terminal management. Under Section 12A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), the tribunal can permit withdrawal of an ongoing insolvency process against a company subject to certain conditions.

Go Airlines' petition against withdrawal of Sovika Aviation Services' insolvency dismissed by NCLAT

Such application is filed by the company with the approval of a 90% voting share of the Committee of Creditors (CoC). A two-member NCLAT bench observed that the CoC in its seventh meeting held on March 19, 2021, had already resolved to withdraw CIRP against Sovika Aviation Services.

"In view of the sequence of events and facts brought on record that after Committee of Creditors approval dated March 19, 2021, for withdrawal of the CIRP proceedings against the Corporate Debtor after the settlement between the parties claim of the Appellant was submitted on September 6, 2021, we do not find any error in the order of the NCLT dated September 23, 2021, permitting withdrawal of the CIRP.We make it clear that we have not expressed any opinion on the merits of the claim of the Appellant and it is for the appropriate forum to consider and take a decision in accordance with law." The NCLAT took note of the respondent's submission that Go Airlines has already filed a suit before the commercial court, and notice for mediation has been received."Be it as it may. It is always open for the parties to take recourse to appropriate remedy as permissible in law. With these observations the Appeal is dismissed."NCLAT

It further said regarding the claim of Go Airlines, which has not been entertained in the insolvency resolution proceedings, it is always open for the budget carrier to take recourse to appropriate legal proceedings before an appropriate forum.

"The fact that claim of the Appellant (Go Airlines) has not been entertained in the insolvency resolution process, there shall be no bar for the Appellant to take the appropriate legal remedy as permissible in law," it said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone on November 25, 2021, of what would be the fourth largest international airport in the world.

As part of the relentless efforts made by the Government of India to integrate and streamline air, rail and road connectivity of people, goods and services, with the advent of the Noida International Airport, Uttar Pradesh would become the only state in India to have five functional airports. 

Paving the way towards becoming a gateway to northern India, the airport would be able to facilitate trade as well as tourism in parts of India that it aims to connect by the time the first flight takes off from the airport by September 2024.

PM Narendra Modi with Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation alon with the CM of UP Yogi Adityanath during the inauguration of Noida International Airport.

Situated at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh, the upcoming airport (Noida International Airport) would cater to all international flights and ease the burden put on the Indira Gandhi International Airport in recent years.

Apart from easing the burden and providing better connectivity, the project would also lead to a further inflow of investment (both foreign and domestic) as well as create widespread employment opportunities.

With more than INR 5,000 crore allocated towards the construction of the first phase of the project, more than one lakh employment opportunities are expected to be created on an accumulated area of nearly 3,000 acres.

Airport would also become the first in India to operate with net-zero emissions and entirely based on digital technology.

In what is touted to be a significant benefit to those who reside in the National Capital Region (NCR), local products and produce are expected to become much more competitive, as access to international markets would naturally become easier and faster, thereby benefiting crores of people living in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Agra, Faridabad, among other nearby towns and cities as well.

In addition, it is expected that time consumed in warehousing and logistics would be reduced significantly, saving considerable time with the introduction of the concept of an integrated multimodal cargo hub as well.

Since the airport terminal is expected to have a footfall of more than 1.5 crore passengers every year for the foreseeable future, the cargo hub would aid in the facilitation of smooth trade and operations.

It is expected that the completion of the project would further fast-track the construction of the Film City, the Medical Device Park and the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor.

Interestingly, the airport would also become the first in India to operate with net-zero emissions and entirely based on digital technology. In a new age India, the airport would give a fresh impetus to the development of a wide region.

Initiatives undertaken in the last few years have led to the realization of the common man`s dream of air travel under the UDAN scheme (`Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik`). With a proactive government keeping a check on the timeline of the project along with the stated budget, it is widely expected that the target to complete the project by September 2024 would be met.

T-3, IGI Airport, Jewar Airport has the potential to make Noida what Delhi Airport made Gurgaon

Along with the basic requirements, it is quite possible that ground transportation to the airport from cities like Agra, Greater Noida, Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Delhi would become feasible through road, rail and metro links by the time the airport becomes functional. Noida International Airport has truly proved to be a new `jewel in the crown` of Uttar Pradesh.

Since the country's independence, various Indian governments did not prioritize infrastructure as a sector. Though it was omnipresent in budget presentations and scheme outlays as a significant head but rarely ever seen on the ground.

It was with the advent of the liberalization reforms and the fast-paced developmental changes in the country, infrastructure was given a major fillip after huge overhauls within the system. It is in line with this idea that the Government of India, as part of its `Nation First` policy, laid special emphasis on the idea of building infrastructure for development.

(With Inputs from IANS)

Veteran stock market investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala was in a defiant mood as he laid down the gauntlet to the sceptics of his multi-million dollar investment in airline Akasa Air is expected to start operations later this year.

“I am prepared for failure. I am surprised that people are surprised (by my investment),” said Jhunjhunwala, who was speaking at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event on February 17.

The marquee investor has invested INR 275 crore for a 40% stake in Akasa Air to build a new airline from the ground up in partnership with some other veterans of the Indian aviation industry.

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala claims to have a strategy for Akasa Air and the aviation industry

Stock market investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala on Thursday said he is investing USD 50 million in the new airline Akasa Air and got a game plan for the Indian aviation sector.

"I was telling Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran that you are investing Rs 18,000 crore in Air India and we are investing USD 50 million in Akasa Air, hope I am not living in a pipe dream," he said.

Sceptics have raised questions over Jhunjhunwala’s foray into the space given the history of failed airlines in India and the low returns the sector has made globally. The development had drawn a myriad of responses on social media networks in India with the majority confounded by Jhunjhunwala’s decision to start an airliner.

Responding to the critics of his airline venture, Jhunjhunwala said he hopes to prove them wrong as he proved his family wrong when he entered the Indian stock market more than three decades ago. “Now it is a matter of ego,” the renowned investor said.

Jhunjhunwala sees his airline venture as being ‘frugal’ instead of ‘ultra-low cost’ and drew an analogy with European airline Ryanair to give a peek into his business plan. “I think I have got a business plan and you know Ryan Air was profitable from day one when other European airliners shut down,” Jhunjhunwala said.

Akasa Air has ordered one-fourth of the planes that current industry leader IndiGo has in its fleet

Jhunjhunwala’s foray into the segment comes amid one of the toughest times in the history of aviation because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think aviation in India is going to grow from where it is today, and in an industry where everyone is losing money pricing has to improve,” he said.

Jhunjhunwala said that Akasa Air has ordered one-fourth of the planes that current industry leader IndiGo has in its fleet. Media reports have suggested that the infant airliner is luring staff from rivals with stocks options and other incentives.

Backed by aviation veterans Vinay Dube and Aditya Ghosh, Akasa Air had in October 2021 got the no-objection certificate from the ministry of civil aviation to operate commercial flights.

Akasa Air will have services from metros to Tier II and III cities.

To begin with, Akasa Air will have services from metros to Tier II and III cities. There will also be flights from metros to metros so that the aircraft is moved around the system, CEO Vinay Dube said.

"We hope to get our first aircraft in the second half of April, the first commercial flight in late May or early June... we are working with the government, DGCA to go through all of the requirements that are there," Dube said.

Dube, who is also the founder and managing director, said the airline has started hiring people, setting up technology, creating processes and procedures, defining things related to customer value and proposition and planning route networks with airports. Currently, the carrier has more than 50 staff.

A proposal has been sent to the Union government for renaming 13 airports, including the one in Aurangabad, and a decision on the same will be taken by the cabinet, Union Minister Dr Bhagwat Karad said.

Speaking to reporters after arriving in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad city on Wednesday, February 16 the Union minister of state for finance said a proposal to rename the airport after Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji was sent to the Centre earlier.

“I have been regularly following up on the issue. At least 13 airports in the country are to be renamed and the cabinet will make a decision about these airports,” Dr Karad said.

Dr Bhagwat Karad, Union Minister of State, Ministry of Finance

Earlier, while speaking at a virtual inauguration ceremony of an establishment in Aurangabad, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had said that legislators who go to Delhi should pursue the matter of renaming the airport and get it done. 

A few days ago, the Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M. Scindia in a written reply to a question in the Parliament said the government has accorded ‘in-principle’ approval for setting up a total of 21 Greenfield Airports.

This includes Mopa in Goa; Shirdi, Sindhudurg, Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra; Kalaburagi, Hassan, Bijapur and Shimoga in Karnataka; Datia (Gwalior) in MP; Noida and Kushinagar in UP; Hirasar and Dholera in Gujarat; Karaikal in Puducherry; Bhogapuram, Dagadarthi and Oravakal in Andhra Pradesh; Pakyong in Sikkim; Durgapur in WB, Kannur in Kerala and Hollongi (Itanagar) in Arunachal Pradesh.

Kushinagar International Airport

The airports accorded approval at Navi Mumbai, Mopa, Shirdi, Noida (Jewar), Hirasar, Dholera, Kannur, Bhogapuram and Kushinagar are international airports and the rest of them are domestic airports.

Out of these 21 airports, eight airports- Pakyong, Durgapur, Sindhudurg, Shirdi, Kannur, Oravakal, Kalaburagi and Kushinagar have already been operationalized.