Improvements leading to improved airliner MPG/passenger mile
This is an interesting thread on X about advances in airliner fuel economy.
7 Likes
“Interesting” but hardly new. The military has been running hi-bypass engines on their refuelers for more than 30 years - and most of those were the mentioned “dinosaur” 707, initially. designed as an air refueler and later adopted to civilian airliner use. Back in the 90’s I was in an air refueling unit. We flew KC-135’s, the “original” 707’s. Only we had RR hi-bypass engines that allowed us to burn way less fuel. That translated into longer to/from mission ability and also longer loiter times to catch fighters injured and low on fuel. We could cut the number of required sorties to man a refueling track by about 40%.
There are certainly advances in composite characteristics, but the effect has been far less than the hi-bypass engines. If you want to look at an “industry” that has been HIGHLY affected, look no farther than the top level race care industry. A F1 car is a marvel of composites and engineering to control airflow.
6 Likes
Reduced seat pitch: