Toulouse -- Airbus announced it intended to test an electric taxi system for A320 family aircraft.
The system, which would see electrical motors installed in the wheels, would power the narrowbody aircraft to the take off area to significantly reduce the amount of fuel burned during the taxi phase of the flight.
"We are always looking to save as much fuel as possible," said A320 Family Program Executive Vice President Alain Flourens.
UPDATE: During the initial tests, which are slated to take place before year's end, the motors will be powered by the auxiliary power unit in the tail of the aircraft. Flourens added that any increase in weight due to the addition of the motors on the aircraft landing gear would be offset by the expected overall fuel savings of the system.
Posted on location at the Airbus Technical Press Briefing
on May 14, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply
I wonder why it took so long. Is this so expensive that it makes sense only now? Airplanes have been idling their engines on airports for hours at a time...
Boeing had a testing announcement a couple of years ago with a Canadian/Gibraltar company... What came out of it?
on May 14, 2008 4:00 PM | Reply
Yes, it has been taking so long.
I've always wondered why the A380 has to taxi with the four engines running, they should certificate the plane to taxi with only 2 engines. Moreover, remember the BAW 747 that cross North America with only 3 engines, this should be the standard by now. I'm talking about asymetricale power, inner engines at N2 of 80% and outter engines running at N2 of 60%. Maybe they can save more fuel that running the four engines at 70%. Remember the Toyota Prius, anyone?
Just a though.
Regards
on May 14, 2008 4:03 PM | Reply
Yes, it has been taking so long.
I've always wondered why the A380 has to taxi with the four engines running, they should certificate the plane to taxi with only 2 engines. Moreover, remember the BAW 747 that cross North America with only 3 engines, this should be the standard by now. I'm talking about asymetricale power, inner engines at N2 of 80% and outter engines running at N2 of 60%. Maybe they can save more fuel that running the four engines at 70%. Remember the Toyota Prius, anyone?
Just a though.
Regards