Simviation Forum - Formation flying

Dec 9^th, 2009 at 7:36am

expat Offline
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How would you like to see several 747's of a handful of A380's is a nice formation...............flying over the Atlantic Shocked

To Increase Passenger Jet Fuel Efficiency, Airlines Look to Nature's Flying Formations

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Reply #1 - Dec 9^th, 2009 at 7:51am

JakesF14 Offline
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that would be an interresting change in general aviation. But bad weather ect will make it difficult. Thus formation flying will only be possible in ideal conditions.?
Could work, I think!

Edited:

or maybe not....on second thought

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Reply #2 - Dec 9^th, 2009 at 8:43am

patchz Offline
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I really don't think this is a new concept. NASCAR calls it 'drafting'. Roll Eyes

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Reply #3 - Dec 9^th, 2009 at 2:25pm

C Offline
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They seem to have forgotten a little bit of the basics; or, more likely, they've never flown formation in a airliner (or anything perhaps?).

Flying in formation = lots of throttle movements = increased fuel burn.

Typical pointless academic study.

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Reply #4 - Dec 10^th, 2009 at 2:00pm

Isak922 Offline
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C wrote on Dec 9^th, 2009 at 2:25pm:

They seem to have forgotten a little bit of the basics; or, more likely, they've never flown formation in a airliner (or anything perhaps?).

Flying in formation = lots of throttle movements = increased fuel burn.

Typical pointless academic study.

Then again, it doesn't have to be a Blue Angel or Thunderbird type formation. It actually says that it can be a very loose one... A couple miles of distance between the aircraft.

Besides, the autopilot can handle all of the throttle inputs Tongue

What they're saying in this article, is that as long as the aircraft stays within a certain area within range of another aircraft, the benefits will still be applicable. Maybe to a slightly lesser degree than if they were a hundred or so feet apart, but still there.

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Reply #5 - Dec 10^th, 2009 at 2:07pm

Hagar Offline
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Can you really imagine any airlines doing this? As Charlie says, it's a typical pointless academic study.

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Reply #6 - Dec 10^th, 2009 at 3:23pm

C Offline
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Isak922 wrote on Dec 10^th, 2009 at 2:00pm:

[quote author=Hot_Charlie link=1260362214/3#3 date=1260386717]
Besides, the autopilot can handle all of the throttle inputs Tongue

What they're saying in this article, is that as long as the aircraft stays within a certain area within range of another aircraft, the benefits will still be applicable. Maybe to a slightly lesser degree than if they were a hundred or so feet apart, but still there.

Doesn't matter who's controlling the throttles, the basic mechanics are still the same, and even with a "cleverer" computer, you'll still have more variation in engine power settings, and hence probably lose any potential benefits.

Then the matter of traffic control, or lack of it, over the Oceans, has the be thought of. With aircraft crossing in 60 mile wide lanes, avoiding weather or dealing with in flight emergencies would be a nightmare. Mind you, for navigation equipment failures you'd be allright!

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