A Glimpse into the Future of Aviation

The future of aviation is a fascinating topic that is constantly evolving. As we look to the future, we see a myriad of innovative concepts that could revolutionize the way we travel. These concepts, while still in their infancy, offer a glimpse into what could be possible in the years to come.

Flying V

One such concept is the Flying V, a project under development at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, in partnership with KLM and Airbus. This design is not your typical blended wing design. Instead, it places passengers inside the wings, rather than making the wings part of the plane itself. This design choice is estimated to save around 20% more fuel than other fuel-efficient planes. The Flying V can accommodate 314 passengers across business and first class, with two passenger cabins down each leg of the V shape. Each cabin is 6.1 meters wide, allowing for a twin-aisle, 10-seat configuration for economy passengers. While the flying aspect of this plane has proven to be more stable than expected, landing poses some challenges due to the high angle of attack needed, similar to the Concorde.

Airbus Bird of Prey

Airbus has also been working on the Bird of Prey concept plane, which uses biomimicry technology to bring the advantages of birds to modern aviation design. This propeller plane has four turboprops to power the aircraft for regional routes, and each ‘feather’ can be individually modified to change the aerodynamics while in flight, much like a hawk. This regional aircraft concept could carry as many as 80 passengers up to 1,500 kilometers and burn 30% to 50% less fuel than today’s equivalent planes.

Otto Aviation Celera 500L

Another noteworthy concept is the Otto Aviation Celera 500L “bullet” plane, which boasts eight times less fuel burn than any other jet aircraft. This six-passenger plane can travel at 460 miles per hour for more than 4,000 nautical miles and costs just $328 per hour to run. Otto Aviation has completed its first funding rounds and successful test flights, but they still need to begin the FAA certification process and find a location for manufacturing.

Embraer Pulse

The Embraer Pulse aircraft is another exciting concept. This executive jet, which looks more like something Batman would own, has an interchangeable remote control pod that offers near 360-degree visibility thanks to its use of transparent aluminum alloys. Upon landing, the pod can be transferred to an autonomous ground car for urban environments, while the flying frame returns with another pod.

Eviation’s Alice

Eviation’s Alice, a nine-seater aircraft designed for short-haul hops and powered by three electric engines, has been dubbed the Tesla of the sky. The plane has a range of 1,000 kilometers with a backup reserve of 45 minutes, making it perfect for smaller areas suited for short flights such as remote islands and executive transport. The plane will have a price of $3 million and cost $200 per hour to operate, which compares to $600 to $1,000 per hour for existing aircraft of a similar purchase price.

Airbus Maverick

Airbus is also working on a blended wing concept called the Maverick. This concept has the potential to deliver real environmental performance benefits, with approximately 20% less fuel burn compared to current single-aisle models with the same engines. The spacious configuration also opens up the design space, enabling the possible integration of various other types of propulsion systems.

Boeing SUGAR Volt

Boeing, in partnership with NASA, is working on a Truss-Braced Wing Aircraft called SUGAR Volt. The huge braced wing greatly reduces drag and has more lift, allowing the design to operate on shorter runways and with alternative engines such as electric. The SUGAR Volt would have emissions around 70% lower than the average airliner today, and noise pollution would also be lower than other planes.

These aircraft concepts, while still far from market-ready, represent the bold and exciting future of flight. It’s likely that we will see many of these innovations filter down to future aircraft design in subtle ways. The future of flight may be bold and even terrifying, but it’s for sure exciting.