TU DELFT FLYING-V

This summer, a team of researchers, engineers and a drone pilot from Delft University of Technology travelled to an air base in Germany for the first real test flight of the scale model of the energy-efficient aircraft design called the Flying-V. The project was announced together with KLM last year. After a period of extensive wind tunnel testing and a series of ground tests in the Netherlands, it was time to perform the first flight and get an impression of the flight characteristics. This first flight was very successful.

The aircraft's v-shaped design will integrate the passenger cabin, the cargo hold and the fuel tanks in the wings. Its improved aerodynamic shape and reduced weight will mean it uses 20% less fuel than the Airbus A350, today's most advanced aircraft . A flying scale model and a full-size section of the interior of the Flying-V will be officially presented at the KLM Experience Days at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in October on the occasion of KLM's 100th anniversary.

Project leader Dr. Roelof Vos and his team of researchers and engineers brought the 22.5 kg and 3 m wide scale model of the Flying-V for the flight tests to a well-guarded air base in Germany, where they could work together with an Airbus team. The pilot's task: take off, perform a number of test manoeuvres and land when the batteries are low. And it worked. Vos: "Calculations showed that taking off could be exciting. We had adapted the scale model to this, but you don't really know what happens until you actually fly." The rotation at take-off was simple and happened at a speed of 80 km/h. The thrust of the aircraft was good and the flight speeds and angles were as predicted.

But testing new technology is never easy. The team had a challenging week in which they had to change the center of gravity of the aircraft and repair the antenna to improve the telemetry. The flight has now also confirmed that the current design still shows too much 'Dutch roll', wobbles, which makes a fairly rough landing. A next step for the team is to use the data collected in flight for an aerodynamic (software) model of the aircraft. This allows the team to program the aircraft in a flight simulator for future research. The team will also prepare the scale model for further flight tests.

The Flying-V

The Flying-V is a design for a highly energy-efficient long-range aircraft. The aircraft's design integrates the passenger cabin, cargo hold and fuel tanks into the wings, creating a spectacular V-shape. Computer calculations have predicted that the improved aerodynamic shape and reduced weight of the aircraft will reduce fuel consumption by 20% compared to today's most advanced aircraft. KLM has been a partner in the project since 2019. Thanks to their support, the project team was able to build this scale model. It was first presented at KLM's 100th anniversary in October 2019. In the meantime, several business partners are involved in the project, including Airbus. The flight tests were also established in cooperation with Airbus. The partners are working together on a research plan to further develop the concept. Next step: providing the Flying-V with a sustainable propulsion. The design seems very suitable for flying on liquid hydrogen rather than on kerosene.

refers[tudelft web]