September 5
…that have been shown to reduce aerodynamic drag by 1%. According to Lufthansa, if resurfaced with AeroShark coating, the global fleet of long-haul aircraft could reduce overall fuel burn by some 5 million tons per year.
Hmmmm. 5 million tons is a large value.
A brief search reveals that the global long-haul fleet currently consumes an estimated 180 million tons of fuel annually. 5 million tones is 2.7% of this consumption. This suggests that the claimed 1% reduction in drag leads to a 2.7% reduction in fuel usage. Any reduction in drag is good, and any reduction in fuel consumption and consequent pollution is great. However, skipping over the Breguet range equation and our other performance idealizations, the best that I can say about the claim being repeated here is that it appears to be unsupported by the data.
1 reply
September 5
OK, I’m an aerodynamicist by training and 40+ years experience. We tried this film on the America’s Cup boats way back in 1987. Unless it is aligned closely to the local flow direction along the surface, and is kept very clean, no improvement could be measured. The fact that the code word “sustainability” appear here shows the entire effort is more about virtual signaling and appeasing environmental extremists than about saving fuel and increasing profits. And despite all the hyperventilation concerning the myths of climate crisis, climate change, limited resources, blablabla, airline and freight company owners are only concerned with the bottom line. This is also why SAF is DOA.
1 reply
September 5
▶ Will1
What global long haul fleet are you referring too?
September 5
The article states the figures (including the 1%) are “estimates”. They also say that the initial aircraft will be utilized in an extended test/evaluation program to generate real-world data before a decision is made to expand the program.
September 5
I am intrigued by this technology (I honestly am), but a 1% savings in fuel? How much testing will be required to reduce the margin of error in the data below 1%? Something tells me victory will be declared if those airlines who use it see a corresponding increase in their social credit score.
September 5
▶ kent.misegades
I encourage you to forward your data to Lufthansa, Austrian Air, Swiss, ANA and EVA so they can ask BASF for a full refund for the expenses they incurred placing this worthless film on their aircraft. I wouldn’t be surprised if you were not handsomely compensated for bringing this fraudulent process to light.
September 7
Whatever happened to the golfball divot tape for propellers that was supposed to increase prop efficiency by 15%? Snake oil or top secret?
