International Civil Aviation Day

  The International Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA) and the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) members are committed to advancements in all fields including aerodynamics , propulsion, aircraft systems and Structures technologies , Aircraft manufacturing technologies and all types of potential energies (sustainable aviation fuels, electricity and hydrogen). Aircraft technologies are focused on increased efficiency and carbon emissions reductions as a way to reduce aviation’s climate impact over the long term . In the short term, Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) have a greater role in decarbonisation than other mitigation measures as these “drop in” fuels will reduce carbon emissions from thousands of aircraft already flying. In 2021, the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) released the second edition of its Waypoint 2050 report . This report highlighted the commitment of its members to net zero carbon emissions operations by 2050. Bus...

  The “traditional” (pre-2010 generation) and “advanced” (current generation) tube and wing aircraft will begin to be superseded in the 2035 to 2050 timeframe by “advanced concept” aircraft. These concepts will produce a step change reduction in fuel burn, based on the vehicle aerodynamic configuration, improvements from advanced flight controls using stability augmentation to reduce drag, achieve structural optimisation, and enhance propulsion system integration. Various new aircraft types and configurations from Urban Air Mobility  to light jets and turboprops to large civil single aisle and twin aisle aircraft are expected to make wide and varied use of a range of more specific technologies, explored below. Figure 2 shows an example of an advanced configuration business aircraft. Important guidance for this effort is provided in the latest revision of SAE document ARP 475 ( Guidelines for Development of Civil Aircraft and Systems ) and ARP 476124 ( Guidelines and Methods f...

  In addition to full vehicle configuration reshaping , there are many local (i.e. wing, fuselage, stabiliser) geometryimprovements expected in the next 15 years. These include improved wingtip devices, laminar flow control, morphing wing shapes and skin surface riblets. (See Figure 3). Aerodynamics . Important guidance for this effort is provided in the latest revision of SAE document  ARP 475  ( Guidelines for Development of Civil Aircraft and Systems ) and  ARP 476124  ( Guidelines and Methods for Conducting the Safety Assessment Process on Civil Airborne Systems and Equipment) . 

  Many significant systems-level improvements are emerging in the next generation of advanced concept aircraft. Systems opportunities include low power wing anti ice; improved battery energy efficiency and energy density maturity for systems energy; single pilot operations ; advanced fly-by-wire; hydrogen fuel cells for systems; and “ fly-by-wireless ” and “ fly-by-light ”, partially tied to miniaturisation of avionics .   Important guidance for this effort is provided in the latest revision of SAE document  ARP 475  ( Guidelines for Development of Civil Aircraft and Systems ) and  ARP 476124  ( Guidelines and Methods for Conducting the Safety Assessment Process on Civil Airborne Systems and Equipment) . 

  Airframes of advanced concept aircraft are benefiting from optimal structural topologies. The efficiency of structures capable of withstanding extreme loads is ever increasing, reducing the overall weight and influence of the airframe on aircraft emissions . Newer and better load alleviation technologies are emerging, and so are beneficial weight reductions inherent in Improved manufacturing processes . The enhanced ability to apply these technologies and improved production processes across a wider range of aircraft sizes also broadens their benefit to the overall fleet. Important guidance for this effort is provided in the latest revision of SAE document  ARP 475  ( Guidelines for Development of Civil Aircraft and Systems ) and  ARP 476124  ( Guidelines and Methods for Conducting the Safety Assessment Process on Civil Airborne Systems and Equipment) . 

  Lightweight materials and alloys have continuously improved in the ratio of weight to load carrying capacity over past generations of aircraft, and this trend is expected to continue and diversify for development of future. The use of new alloys requires processes that are closely linked to the load alleviation technology mentioned above. Structures addressing the types of loads and necessary characteristics of materials will be Produced as “designed composite materials” in place of past reliance on available“raw” materials. Important guidance for this effort is provided in the latest revision of SAE document  ARP 475  ( Guidelines for Development of Civil Aircraft and Systems ) and  ARP 476124  ( Guidelines and Methods for Conducting the Safety Assessment Process on Civil Airborne Systems and Equipment) . 

Important guidance is provided in the latest revision document  ARP 475  ( Guidelines for Development of Civil Aircraft and Systems ) and  ARP 476124  ( Guidelines and Methods for Conducting the Safety Assessment Process on Civil Airborne Systems and Equipment) .  The recently launched CLEEN Phase-III focus areas include fuel burn reduction via fan module technology, combustor and HPT technology, open fan technology, and highly integrated hybrid-electric systems (see Figure 5). Another focus area is SAF development – both qualification/ASTM standards maturation and increasing blend ratios to up to 100%. Europe’s Clean Sky 2 joint technology initiative aims to develop and demonstrate breakthrough technologies for civil aircraft that could reduce C02 emissions by 20%   (2025) to 30% (2035). Focus areas have included contra rotative open rotor (CROR) demonstration, design/test of a turbofan LP spool and nacelle technologies demonstrator, and testing of v...

 Technologically advanced alternative fuels (i.e. Stored Electricity, Hydrogen, etc.) are certain to be introduced to achieve the ultimate net zero targets. These technologies will influence the aircraft shape, size, and safety provisions. The use of alternative fuels for propulsion in place of Jet fuel with highly advanced gas turbines and electrically produced thrust will drive research, development and the ultimate design of many of the advanced aircraft referenced above. These alternative fuels offer gamechanging environmental benefits. The associated regulations and highly integrated functional requirements linked to these technologies will heavily influence future design concepts. Important guidance for this effort is provided in the latest revision of SAE document ARP 475 ( Guidelines for Development of Civil Aircraft and Systems ) and ARP 476124 ( Guidelines and Methods for Conducting the Safety Assessment Process on Civil Airborne Systems and Equipment) . Accompanying mea...