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The Challenge in Our Skies

Accounting for around 9 percent of all U.S. oil usage -- or 1.31 million barrels per day, the aviation sector is facing unprecedented challenges in both rising fuel costs as well as impending carbon emission constraints.

The launch of a more efficient and profitable aviation industry forms part MOVE’s strategy to end our dependence on oil. 

MOVE believes increasing the efficiency in delivering passengers and cargo to their destination is the smartest approach to reducing aviation’s impact.

An accelerated emphasis on platform efficiency can help turn these challenges into a profitable solution: For airlines, fly super-efficient planes, cut fuel costs, and be climate heroes.

Sounds good, right?

However, due to the extreme complexity, cost and design maturity of airframes and engines, aviation may be the most difficult to implement platform efficiency changes.

MOVE is tackling this complex issue, and our analysis shows that further step-change increases in airframe and operational efficiency are possible.  We are developing relationships with players from across the aviation industry to initiate and implement significant increases in energy effectiveness -- with the goal of greater profitability.

Powering Solutions

Many factors effect aviation fuel use including airplane design, flight patterns, airplane usage and auxiliary loads.

MOVE focuses on the following to address air travel efficiency:

• Reduction of lift and thrust requirements with lightweighting
• Aerodynamic streamlining
• Innovative manufacturing techniques
• Advanced flight-plan management algorithms
• State-of-the-art overhaul of the air traffic control system
• Whole-systems design integration
• Collaboration with defense agencies for dual-use platform developments to lead technological breakthroughs

Secondary benefits will stem from new design concepts such as advanced turbojet technology and fuel cell auxiliary power units that provide power to the airplane while at the gate and in emergency situations.

Electrification of the airport gates and handling equipment can also help, along with strategies such as continuous descent approach and advanced GPS-based navigation.

Finally, because of rising fuel prices, some technical solutions previously too expensive for consideration are now coming into play.

MOVE is developing research and implementation partnerships to execute the approaches listed above with the following:

• Airline Operators
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Airframe Manufacturers
• Support Equipment Manufacturers
• DoD Technology and Strategy Personnel

For further information regarding consulting and research opportunities, please Contact Us.