Simultaneous Aircraft Design & Trajectory Optimisation for Cost Effective Climate Impact Mitigation

A Cost-Climate Trade-off Study

Master thesis (2024)

Authors

N.R. Lambrecht Aerospace Engineering

Contributors

Carmine Varriale Flight Performance and Propulsion - Aerospace Engineering (mentor)
P. Proesmans Air Transport & Operations - Aerospace Engineering (mentor)
F. Yin Aircraft Noise and Climate Effects - Aerospace Engineering (graduation committee member)
F. Oliviero Flight Performance and Propulsion - Aerospace Engineering (graduation committee member)
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering
More Info
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Published Date

11-11-2024

Language

English

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

Aircraft redesign and flight path optimisation offer promising methods of rethinking how we fly. As the effects of aviation on the planet are becoming better understood, focus has shifted from cost minimisation to climate impact mitigation. In this study, simultaneous aircraft design and trajectory optimisation is used to investigate the trade-off between direct operating costs (DOC) and the global average temperature response (ATR) associated with a typical medium range flight. It is shown for a representative mid-latitude atmosphere and narrowbody aircraft that the ATR can be reduced by 49% with approximately 0.5% increase in operating costs through 2-dimensional flight path optimisation. With simultaneous wing planform optimisation, the DOC-ATR trade-off is even more favourable, leading to a 56% ATR reduction with no increase in operating costs. Results indicate that contrail avoidance is a highly cost-effective method of minimising the climate effects of aviation.