Summary of Flight Testing and Results for the Formation Flight for Aerodynamic Benefit Program

Bieniawski, Stefan R.; Rosenzweig, Steven A; Blake, William

doi:10.2514/6.2014-1457

Cited by 31 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…We demonstrate the approach by presenting the results of a set of calculations performed using this methodology for a pair of C-17 military transport aircraft flying straight and level in formation. This configuration closely matches the flight tests performed as part of the SAVE 1 flight trials conducted in October 2012 and July 2013 (see [6]), and allows us to directly compare our predictions with the results of the flight trials. New and bespoke algorithm development and modelling work is presented that we believe improves the quality, value and confidence in the body of knowledge that is emerging to support the concept of wake surfing.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Analysis of wake surfing benefits using a fast unsteady vortex lattice method

Fleischmann

Lone

2019

AIAA Scitech 2019 Forum

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The computer simulation framework Flexit is used to analyse the fuel economy benefit of aircraft wake surfing. Wake surfing involves multiple aircraft flying in close formation during cruise conditions to reduce overall induced drag and improve overall fuel efficiency. The aircraft fly in echelon such that the kinetic energy lost in vortices generated by the lead aircraft can be partially recovered by the following aircraft flying in regions of the wake where induced velocities have an upwardly directed vertical component. We build on recent theoretical and flight test work by developing a medium fidelity methodology using Flexit for predicting potential performance benefits of wake surfing. We present results from a specific systematic parametric study that corresponds to a series of recent flight tests with two C-17 transport aircraft to demonstrate the methodology and predict the fuel savings that can be obtained by different arrangements of aircraft in a wake surfing formation. The predictions are compared with the flight test data and the trends observed in our simulations agree with the trends of the full scale tests.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Analysis of wake surfing benefits using a fast unsteady vortex lattice method

Fleischmann

Lone

2019

AIAA Scitech 2019 Forum

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“…This correlation is consistent with prior flight research that has shown that increases in upwash velocity at the wingtip during wake surfing are accompanied by increased roll trim requirements (Refs. [7,9]). The maximum of the peak aileron deflection curve occurs in the region of 5 percent to 6 percent and is likely due to a combination of trim requirements and tracking error correction as the airplane was periodically disturbed from its commanded position within the wake.…”

Section: Fig 12 Roll Trim During Wake Surfingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Boeing Company (Chicago, Illinois) and AFRL further investigated wake surfing for large military transports at extended trail distances (Ref. [9]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Measurements of Fuel Savings During Aircraft Wake Surfing

Hanson

Pahle

Reynolds

et al. 2018

2018 Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference

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completed a series of research flights to better understand the challenges of aircraft wake surfing using civilian airplanes and commercial avionics. The research flights sought to demonstrate significant fuel savings by a pair of business jets engaged in automated wake surfing using commercial off-the-shelf avionics to the fullest extent possible, including a 1090-MHz Automatic Dependent Surveillance -Broadcast (ADS-B) data link. A NASA Gulfstream C-20A airplane (Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, Georgia) was flown as the trail airplane within the wake of a NASA Gulfstream III (G-III) airplane. This paper presents a summary of the fuel savings measured during those flights. I. Nomenclature ADS-B = Automatic Dependent Surveillance -Broadcast AOA = angle of attack FAA = Federal Aviation Administration ILS = instrument landing system kcas = knots calibrated airspeed = fuel quantity, lb ̇0 = trim fuel flow, lb per hour ̇ = recorded fuel flow, lb per hour PPH = lb per hour TP = test point Δ = off-condition airspeed, kcas ̇ = airspeed rate of change, kcas per sec II.

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“…[4,5]), and large military transport aircraft (Refs. [6,7]). The recent NASA flight research measured the effects of wake surfing on passenger ride quality and correlated those effects with performance benefits, specifically reduction in fuel flow.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bieniawski (Ref. [7]) reported a slight degradation in ride quality associated with C-17 wake surfing based on in-flight measurements, using a NASA metric developed by Leatherwood (Refs. [12,13]) that produces a total discomfort measure based on noise and vibration levels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Measurements of Passenger Ride Quality During Aircraft Wake Surfing

Hanson

Andrade

Pahle

2018

2018 Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference

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Center completed a series of research flights to better understand the challenges of aircraft wake surfing using civilian airplanes and commercial avionics. Airlines and air cargo carriers have identified uncertainty about increased passenger/crew discomfort due to noise and vibrations as a potential obstacle to the widespread adoption of aircraft wake surfing. To measure the effects of wake surfing on passenger ride quality, NASA instrumented a business jet with cabin noise and vibration sensors. The airplane was then flown under control of an experimental autopilot at multiple locations within the wake of a similar airplane. This paper presents a summary of the measurements collected on those flights, an assessment of passenger discomfort correlated with wake surfing performance benefits, and qualitative evaluations collected from passengers aboard during the research flights.

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Summary of Flight Testing and Results for the Formation Flight for Aerodynamic Benefit Program

Cited by 31 publications

References 4 publications

Analysis of wake surfing benefits using a fast unsteady vortex lattice method

Analysis of wake surfing benefits using a fast unsteady vortex lattice method

Experimental Measurements of Fuel Savings During Aircraft Wake Surfing

Experimental Measurements of Passenger Ride Quality During Aircraft Wake Surfing

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