Overview
The evaluation of novel, conceptual aircraft designs on the basis of operational parameters is in many respects a central objective of early phases of aircraft conceptual design. With the methodologies utilized in the research areas Aircraft Design and Future Trends & Technologies, as well as those developed within the framework of this research area, a wide range of possibilities are available, whose combination allows a more holistic view of the operation of future aircraft. Here, the focus is set on promising technologies to significantly decrease the environmental footprint of aviation, such as hydrogen or battery-powered (hybrid) aircraft.
Aircraft Concepts in a Holistic Operational View
Methods for calculating emissions and climate impact during operation as well as complete life cycle analyses for ecological assessment and methods for determining direct operating costs for the economic analysis of these aircraft are being (further) developed at the Institute of Aircraft Design and in the first place applied at single aircraft level or on exemplary missions. To this end, special emphasis is paid to the comparison with existing or advanced conventional technologies, for which, in addition to the consideration of individual missions, the overall fleet view becomes central. In this way, the effects of new technologies on the fleet structure are estimated in dependence of entry-into-service dates and production capacities. Within the scope of a technology impact assessment, air traffic emissions are calculated for specific scenarios and placed in relation to each other. Effects of new technologies on the climate impact of aviation can thus be quantified on a global scale according to the technology’s fleet uptake. This holistic concept evaluation permits, among others, conclusions to be drawn about influential aircraft parameters as well as the significance of production capacities for achieving given climate targets.
