Airbus always charting the way forward…
Back in July, Airbus and CFM unveiled the A380 Flightlab livery at the Farnborough Air Show. The aircraft will be converted into a flying laboratory, to evaluate Open Fan propulsion technology. By the end of the decade, the aircraft is expected to participate in an extensive campaign as part of the CFM RISE programme. It’s one of the industry’s most important initiatives, focused on next-generation engines. The aircraft is MSN 114, the 100th ever built. It previously flew for Malaysian Airlines as 9M-MNF. Currently carrying the temporary registration 2-JAYN.
Unveiling the Flightlab marks the gradual transition from research and ground testing towards the integration of a full-scale demonstrator engine on an aircraft. Airbus and CFM engineers recently completed the first conceptual flight-test design review. This confirmed the basic technical assumptions for engine installation, aircraft modification and future test programme preparation.
CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, launched the RISE programme in 2012. The goal to develop technologies capable of reducing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by more than 20%, compared with today’s most efficient engines for single-aisle aircraft. RISE is not the development programme for a single defined production engine. It encompasses a broad range of technology demonstrators intended to prepare propulsion systems for the next generation of commercial aircraft. These anticipated to enter service during the 2030s.
The most recognisable part of the programme is Open Fan. Unlike a conventional turbofan engine, where the fan blades are enclosed within a large nacelle, the new concept uses exposed blades with no surrounding fan casing. By removing the nacelle, a significantly larger fan can be used, which moves a greater mass of air around the engine core. More thrust is therefore generated by accelerating a large quantity of air by a relatively small amount, instead of accelerating a smaller air quantity to a much higher velocity.
Being more energy efficient, it allows the engine to achieve a substantially higher bypass ratio. CFM says the single-stage Open Fan could have a bypass ratio more than 5 times higher than that achievable by the most advanced ducted engines.
The fan blades are expected to be carbon fibre composites, to reduce mass whilst providing the strength and fatigue resistance needed for long-term commercial operations. The engine will resemble a turboprop. There are many engineering challenges to be overcome. The shape, curvature and spacing of the blades. Rotational speed and interaction between fan and airflow also needs to be studied.
The A380 will enable to programme to move from controlled laboratory conditions into the real flight environment. The demonstrator will be installed in a specially designed mounting structure on the side of the fuselage. Its position behind and above the wing. The existing 4 engines will still power the aircraft, the test one operating independently. The A380 is suitable for this role because of its size, payload capacity and large amount of internal space available. As expected, the evaluation list is very long to ensure the engine is suitable for commercial flying. The larger fan diameter may require taller landing gear, a different engine position or a completely redesigned wing.
The programme gives Airbus the opportunity to participate not only as the flying lab operator, but also as an aircraft manufacturer assessing innovative technology. The first test flights are anticipated to take place before the decade end and conducted as part of flight-test activities at Toulouse. If the results are positive, Open Fan technology could become one of the options for aircraft following the A320neo and B737MAX during the 2030s.
In other news –
Airlink – the flypast certainly stirred emotions! Several pilots maintained it was foolhardy and dangerous. FR24 provided what was considered accurate data. Many media outlets woke up to the fact that there may be a story here. Whilst the airline defended itself, it took a few days before South Africa’s Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) announced it had obtained the flight data recordings to conduct its own assessment. Airlink has also been asked for additional information. Each aircraft had 3 senior Captains onboard, with combined 75,000 flight hours.
The airline then withdrew plans for another flypast at this weekend’s match in Soweto. They cited weather reports as the reason.
Virgin Atlantic – announced the disposal of 3 B787s. Polish carrier LOT taking 2; it’s not known where the other is going. The airline added that it will be concentrating on its A350 and A330-900 fleet.
Air Mauritius – announced it will be returning to LHR in 2027.
And finally –
Stowaway – first spotted on Twitter/X 2 days ago, it’s the latest flight tracker. A unique web application, you can track flights and satellites in real time under the sun, moon and stars. You will be asked to input your location to see a simulated live view, with accurate positions of what’s in the sky overhead. At 20.23 on Saturday 5 September, I clicked on the aircraft window. There were 5 commercial flights, a private jet and 2 satellites in view. Click on any aircraft/satellite and an icon panel will appear giving you more options. There’s also a facility to ride along, complete with realistic sound effects. A reviewer suggested running it in conjunction with FR24 or FlightAware to get further information. Will leave you to play around with it and report back…
Information courtesy of AvioRadar, Sky Sports, Stowaway.live
Images courtesy of Flight Global, Stowaway.live
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