Post by Jeff on Apr 6, 2015 9:00:58 GMT
NASA is testing a way to reduce the size of the vertical tail on commercial airliners, which will reduce weight and fuel use.
According to researchers, the only reason the tails are the size they are is to assist with the stability of the airliner at low speeds during landing and takeoff.
The large tails weigh down aircraft during cruise periods, the longest point in an aircrafts working life, and so NASA is working with Boeing to try to make smaller, lighter tails.
The solution is 31 tiny jets along the edge of a tail 17% smaller than current ones that can selectively blow air over the surface and generate the same stabilising forces.
The technology has been developed in collaboration with Boeing and will be tested this year in nine flights with a Boeing 757 airliner.
According to researchers, the only reason the tails are the size they are is to assist with the stability of the airliner at low speeds during landing and takeoff.
The large tails weigh down aircraft during cruise periods, the longest point in an aircrafts working life, and so NASA is working with Boeing to try to make smaller, lighter tails.
The solution is 31 tiny jets along the edge of a tail 17% smaller than current ones that can selectively blow air over the surface and generate the same stabilising forces.
The technology has been developed in collaboration with Boeing and will be tested this year in nine flights with a Boeing 757 airliner.