KLM and TU Delft collaborate on ‘Flying-V’ concept for more sustainable flight
KLM and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) are partnering on a new ‘Flying-V’ concept, aimed at making aviation more sustainable.
KLM President & CEO Pieter Elbers and Professor Henri…
KLM and Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) are partnering on a new ‘Flying-V’ concept, aimed at making aviation more sustainable.
KLM President & CEO Pieter Elbers and Professor Henri Werij, Dean of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft, signed the agreement at the IATA Annual General Meeting in Seoul.
KLM will be contributing towards TU Delft’s research into an innovative flight concept known as the ‘Flying-V’, which the companies say: “embraces an entirely different approach to aircraft design”, with the aim of enabling sustainable long-distance flight in the future.
The ‘Flying-V’ was originally conceptualised as a potential aircraft design for the future but can be compared to today’s Airbus A350. Although the plane is not as long as the A350, it has the same wingspan.
Existing infrastructure
This will enable the Flying-V to use existing infrastructure at airports, such as gates and runways, without difficulty, and the aircraft will also fit into the same hangar as the A350.
What’s more, the Flying-V will carry the same number of passengers – 314 in the standard configuration – and the same volume of cargo.
The Flying-V will be smaller than the A350, giving it less aerodynamic resistance.
The aircraft’s v-shaped design will integrate the passenger cabin, the cargo hold and the fuel tanks in the wings. The aim is that its improved aerodynamic shape and reduced weight will mean it uses 20% less fuel than the Airbus A350, which the organisations say is “today’s most advanced aircraft”.
A flying scale model and a full-size section of the interior of the Flying-V will be presented at the KLM Experience Days at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in October for KLM’s 100th anniversary.
Passenger experience, fuel-efficiency
Everything on board the Flying-V will be designed to be as lightweight as possible to maximise efficiency.
The Flying-V will be propelled by the most fuel-efficient turbofan engines that currently exist, the partners say. In its present design, the aircraft still flies on kerosene, but it can easily be adapted to make use of innovations in the propulsion system – by using electrically-boosted turbofans, for example.
Responsibility
KLM’s Elbers commented: “In recent years, KLM has developed as a pioneer in sustainability within the airline industry. The development of aviation has given the world a great deal, offering us an opportunity to connect people.
“This privilege is paired with a huge responsibility for our planet.
“KLM takes this very seriously and has therefore been investing in sustainability at different levels for many years, enabling it to develop a broad spectrum of sustainability initiatives. We are proud of our progressive cooperative relationship with TU Delft, which ties in well with KLM’s strategy and serves as an important milestone for us on the road to scaling-up sustainable aviation.”
Professor Werij added: “We are incredibly pleased to be able to cooperate with our trusted partner KLM on our combined mission to make aviation more sustainable.
“Radically new and highly energy-efficient aircraft designs such as the Flying-V are important in this respect, as are new forms of propulsion.
“Our ultimate aim is one of emission-free flight.
Our cooperation with KLM offers a tremendous opportunity to bring about real change.”
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