Harnessing Landing Power to Cut Noise and Emissions

Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), a team of engineers from the University of Lincoln have confirmed that future aircraft could harness and store energy produced by landing gear, which could then be used to taxi the aircraft – a necessary, but very fuel-wasting, function of air travel. In addition to the fuel-inefficiency of taxiing aircraft, leader of the research, Professor Paul Stewart, noted that emissions and noise pollution caused by jet engines is a huge problem with airports worldwide. Little wonder then that the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) has made engine-less taxiing one of its key objectives for the aviation industry in Europe beyond 2020.

Stewart added that if aircraft produced in the next fifteen to twenty years could incorporate the technology currently being investigated it would be enormously beneficial, particularly for people living in the vicinity of airports. The University of Lincoln’s research is assessing a number of methods of capturing the power generated by a landing airplane. In an interview, Professor Stewart, explained than when an Airbus 320 lands, the combination of its speed and weight produces around three megawatts peak available power. The team of researchers has explored different ways of harnessing that available power, including the interaction between magnets attached to the airplane and copper coils implanted in the runway. To date, many of the ideas have not proven to be feasible, either from a technical point of view or financially, or both. Nonetheless, the study has shown that it’s possible to capture energy in this manner, especially in light of advances being made in developing more-electric, or even all-electric, airplanes.

This collaborative effort between the University of Lincoln and the University of Loughborough is being carried out under the direction of the Airport Energy Technologies Network (AETN) which was established in 2008 by the UK-based Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to facilitate low-carbon research in the field of aviation.

FLS Microjet Flight Tests Exceed Expectations

The FLS Microjet by BD-Micro Technologies, Inc. (BMT) completed Phase I flight testing on May 5th 2011. During testing, all performance expectations were either met or exceeded. Better known as the “James Bond jet”, the BD-5J Microjet for the first time ever is available as a complete and modernized, ready to assemble, integrated airframe, avionics, and powerplant systems package. BMT is currently taking orders for a limited production of the FLS Microjet kit.

The design was originally developed in the 1970′s by Bede Aircraft, Inc. and designated the BD-5J. In 1992, BMT began a modernization program for the BD-5 aircraft, and offered complete, ready to assemble kits with improved design features in an aircraft line-up called the “FLIGHTLINE Series” or “FLS” BD-5 kits. The FLS Microjet is the first aircraft to incorporate all of the next generation BMT upgrades, including the Quantum Turbojet Powerplant System, Dual Display all digital panel and Solid State triple bus redundant electrical system.

Over the years, hundreds of thousands of spectators have seen a number of BD-5J airshow performers amaze people with the speed and agility of the “World’s Smallest Jet”. Teams at airshows have included the Bud Light Microjet, Coors Light Silver Bullet (later as Freedom-Jet) and others.

In recent years, the premier operator of BD-5J’s has been successfully using the planes in military programs. These aircraft have incorporated equipment upgrades for military purposes and are now known as Small Manned Aerial Radar Target, Model-1 (SMART-1). BMT has recently delivered two specially built FLS Microjets for use in these military programs.

The owner of the first FLS Microjet, Justin Lewis of Lewis & Clark Performance, LLC, conducted the flight testing at ONP Newport, Oregon. He reported the jet was easy to fly despite the high performance characteristics. The following specifications were noted:

• Standard Empty Weight: 416 lbs.
• Fuel Capacity: 30/46 gal.
• Max Useful Load: 444 lbs.
• Max Rated Thrust: 265 lbs.
• Sea Level Climb: 2,750 fpm.
• Climb at 12,500 ft.: 1,400 fpm.
• Takeoff roll: 1,500 ft.
• Landing roll: 1,000 ft.
• Flight Time: 1.5 to 2.5 hrs. (no reserve)
• Max Speed Vne: 250 KIAS.
• 85% N1 Speed: 159 KIAS.

A Builder Assistance Program (BAP) is bundled in the purchase price of a FLS Microjet. The BAP ensures that this very technical, high performance aircraft is assembled correctly, efficiently, and in a timely manner. It will also allow the owner to register it as an experimental aircraft under the latest FAA amateur-built guidelines. In addition, as a single seat turbojet powered aircraft, Microjet pilots need to obtain a specific type rating. BMT can assist pilots in obtaining this rating.

The FLS Microjet is a sophisticated and advanced high performance aircraft with professional grade systems and features. Designed to meet the needs of the serious pilot, this aircraft is several generations beyond the original 1970′s BD-5J airshow jets. Owning and flying a FLS Microjet is as close as a civilian pilot can come to the thrill of flying a jet fighter without spending a half million dollars.

Article submitted by Skeeter Karnes of BD-Micro Technologies, Inc.

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