easyJet will trial electric taxiing system in 2013, hoping for fuel savings
easyJet, in collaboration with Honeywell and Safran, hsd announced that it will be the first airline to support the development and trial of the innovative new electric green taxiing system (EGTS). Due to the high frequency and short sector lengths of easyJet’s operations, around 4% of total fuel consumed annually is used when the airline’s aircraft are taxiing. easyJet’s aircraft average 20 minutes of taxi time per flight – the equivalent of 3.5 million miles a year. The first operational trials are expected to start in 2013. Honeywell and Safran are targeting to offer the electric green taxiing system either on new aircraft or as a retrofit solution to in-service aircraft as early as 2016.
EASYJET FIRST AIRLINE TO TRIAL ELECTRIC GREEN TAXIING SYSTEM BY SAFRAN AND HONEYWELL
8.2.2012 (easyJet press release)
easyJet, the UK’s largest airline, in collaboration with Honeywell and Safran, has today announced that it will be the first airline to support the development and trial of the innovative new electric green taxiing system (EGTS).
Due to the high frequency and short sector lengths of easyJet’s operations, around 4% of total fuel consumed annually is used when the airline’s aircraft are taxiing. easyJet’s aircraft average 20 minutes of taxi time per flight – the equivalent of 3.5 million miles a year.
The first operational trials are expected to start in 2013. Honeywell and Safran are targeting to offer the electric green taxiing system either on new aircraft or as a retrofit solution to in-service aircraft as early as 2016.
The development and trial will help establish whether the estimated savings can be realised and also quantify other benefits. easyJet will also assist in establishing the airline standard operational procedures for aircraft equipped with the system.
Ian Davies, easyJet’s Head of Engineering and Maintenance, said: “easyJet is always seeking innovative ways of reducing our environmental footprint as well as our operating costs so this technology is of great interest to us.
“This collaboration with Honeywell and Safran allows us to bring our huge experience of high frequency and high levels of operational performance to the partnership to ensure that the solution meets our needs.”
Yves Leclère, Safran Executive Vice President, Transformation said: “We are very pleased to partner with easyJet on the electric green taxiing system. It is a clear vote of confidence from a major airline which gives significant credibility to our system and value model.”
John Bolton, President, Honeywell’s Air Transport and Regional business, added: “Our complementary technologies and fully integrated customer approach have earned the confidence of a major player in the airline industry, and we will highly value easyJet’s operational input in developing the EGTS.”
The EGTS allows aircraft to taxi without requiring the use of aircraft engines by using the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) generator to power motors in the main wheels. Each of the aircraft’s powered wheels is equipped with an electromechanical actuator, while unique power electronics and system controllers give pilots total control of the aircraft’s speed, direction and braking during taxi operations. The system would therefore reduce, if not remove altogether, the need for tugs to manoeuvre aircraft in and out of stands.
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About easyJet:
easyJet operates Europe’s No. 1 air transport network with a leading presence on Europe’s top 100 routes and at Europe’s 50 largest airports.
easyJet flies on more than 604 routes between 130 airports in 29 countries. More than 300 million Europeans live within one hour’s drive of an easyJet airport, more than any other airline.
The airline takes sustainability seriously. easyJet invests in the latest technology, operates efficiently and fills most of its seats which means that an easyJet passenger’s carbon footprint is 22% less than a passenger on a traditional airline, flying the same aircraft on the same route.
About Safran:
Safran is a leading international high-technology group with three core businesses: Aerospace (propulsion and equipment), Defence and Security. Operating worldwide, the Safran group has more than 54,000 employees and generated sales of 10.8 billion euros in 2010. Working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets. The Group invests heavily in Research & Development to meet the requirements of changing markets, including expenditures of 1.2 billion euros in 2010. Safran is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC Large 60 index.
For more information: www.safran-group.com
About Honeywell:
Honeywell’s aerospace business is a leading global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military, space and airport operations. Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visitwww.honeywellnow.com.
http://corporate.easyjet.com/media/latest-news/news-year-2012/09-02-2012-en.aspx
Safran and Honeywell Commence Electric Green Taxiing System Testing
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 14, 2011
/PRNewswire. Honeywell and Safran have commenced the first rolling tests for their electric green taxiing system.
The electric green taxiing system is designed to significantly improve airline operational efficiency and provide environmental benefits by slashing the carbon and other emissions created during runway taxi operations.
Using the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) generator to power motors in the main wheels, the system allows aircraft to taxi without requiring the use of aircraft engines. Each of the aircraft’s powered wheels is equipped with an electromechanical actuator, while unique power electronics and system controllers give pilots total control of the aircraft’s speed, direction and braking during taxi operations.
The expected benefits of this system include:
- Lower Fuel Burn – As taxi operations burn a significant amount of fuel—as much as five million tons of fuel per year for short-haul aircraft—the electric green taxiing system can result in savings of up to 4% of total block fuel consumption.
- Improved On Time Performance – Aircraft equipped with the system will be able to “pushback and go” more quickly, thus reducing both gate and tarmac congestion, improving on-time departure performance and saving valuable time on the ground.
- Greener Operation – The electric green taxiing system greatly reduces engine emissions, resulting in lower carbon taxes.
- Added Value – System operation eliminates the need for aircraft pushback and aircraft repositioning via tug tractor while also reducing brake wear, extending main engine life, enhancing ground crew safety, and reducing noise in the airport environment.
The initiative was first announced at the Paris Airshow in June 2011, where Honeywell and Safran signed a memorandum of understanding to create a joint venture company to deliver innovative new electric green taxiing system solutions for new and existing aircraft.
Yves Leclere, Safran Executive Vice President, Transformation said, “Safran’s extensive experience in integrated landing gear systems combined with Honeywell’s avionics and APU breadth is an ideal match for rapidly bringing to market an innovative solution which makes business and environmental sense for both airlines and airports.”
This initial series of tests, to be undertaken in Montpellier, France, on a recently acquired A320, will serve to evaluate runway conditions and calculate the necessary loads needed for moving the aircraft on ground. The team is currently focused on prototyping and component level testing, prior to targeted system installation and ground testing in 2013.
“Reducing fuel costs and maximizing operational efficiency are top priorities for our customers”, said John Bolton, President, Honeywell’s Air Transport and Regional business. “The start of the electric green taxi testing takes us one step closer to bringing this technology to market, and ultimately to helping to save our customers several hundred thousand dollars per aircraft per year.”
The system is particularly attractive for airlines that operate high cycle single aisle aircraft. Honeywell and Safran are targeting to offer the electric green taxiing system either on new aircraft or as a retrofit solution to in-service aircraft as early as 2016.
and feature on pages 10 and 11 of http://www.safran-na.com/IMG/pdf/SAFR11-US.pdf about the system.
[ But pilots are not happy with the idea that they will not have as much time to work their engines up to full power for takeoff, as they cannot do this quickly. And the plane is then carrying extra weight.]
Also a Flight Global article from 9th December 2011
VIDEO: L-3 and Lufthansa get moving with e-taxi demonstrator
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Lufthansa and technology company L-3 Communications have conducted taxi trials with an Airbus A320 equipped with electrical motors on both main landing gears (MLG) as part of a feasibility study to gain initial operational experience and data about a MLG-fitted electrical drive system.
The motors and control units were temporarily installed on the aircraft at Frankfurt International airport earlier this week. They are based on existing industrial components manufactured by L-3’s Magnet Motor subsidiary in Starnberg, near Munich, and already in use on other applications such as ground vehicles.
…. and it continues ………