A small step towards greener environment, by reducing the carbon emission from co
mmercial aircraft Airbus has come up with’ fello’ fly.20 November 2019: 'Fello' Fly is the latest demonstrator project by Airbus. Inspired by biomimicry, this project is said to make a huge impact on the emission reduction by commercial fleet.
Airbus' fello'fly project aims to demonstrate the technical, operational and commercial viability of two aircraft flying together for long-haul flights.
'Fello' fly - the working
-A follower aircraft will retrieve the energy lost by the wake of a leader aircraft, by flying in the smooth updraft of air it creates
-This will provide a lift to the follower aircraft allowing it to decrease engine thrust and therefore reduce fuel consumption in the range of 5-10% per trip
-The aircraft should be safely positioned in the updraft of air of the aircraft they are following, maintaining the same distance, at a steady altitude.
Working on the guidelines defined by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) , Airbus aims at achieving standardized emission reductions. Accordingly, they are in talks with airlines and Air Traffic Control (ATC) providers to identify the operational needs and suitable solutions for planning and executing fello'fly operations.
Airbus has an ambitious plan for a controlled Entry-Into-Service by the middle of the next decade. The testing of fello fly will start with two of the A350 aircraft in 2020.