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How would you like to see several 747's of a handful of A380's is a nice formation...............flying over the Atlantic

To Increase Passenger Jet Fuel Efficiency, Airlines Look to Nature's Flying Formations

Matt

that would be an interresting change in general aviation. But bad weather ect will make it difficult. Thus formation flying will only be possible in ideal conditions.?
Could work, I think!

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or maybe not....on second thought[/edit]

[color=#000000]I really don't think this is a new concept. NASCAR calls it 'drafting'.

They seem to have forgotten a little bit of the basics; or, more likely, they've never flown formation in a airliner (or anything perhaps?).

Flying in formation = lots of throttle movements = increased fuel burn.

Typical pointless academic study.

They seem to have forgotten a little bit of the basics; or, more likely, they've never flown formation in a airliner (or anything perhaps?).

Flying in formation = lots of throttle movements = increased fuel burn.

Typical pointless academic study.

Then again, it doesn't have to be a Blue Angel or Thunderbird type formation. It actually says that it can be a very loose one... A couple miles of distance between the aircraft.

Besides, the autopilot can handle all of the throttle inputs

What they're saying in this article, is that as long as the aircraft stays within a certain area within range of another aircraft, the benefits will still be applicable. Maybe to a slightly lesser degree than if they were a hundred or so feet apart, but still there.

Can you really imagine any airlines doing this? As Charlie says, it's a typical pointless academic study.

Besides, the autopilot can handle all of the throttle inputs

What they're saying in this article, is that as long as the aircraft stays within a certain area within range of another aircraft, the benefits will still be applicable. Maybe to a slightly lesser degree than if they were a hundred or so feet apart, but still there.

Doesn't matter who's controlling the throttles, the basic mechanics are still the same, and even with a "cleverer" computer, you'll still have more variation in engine power settings, and hence probably lose any potential benefits.

Then the matter of traffic control, or lack of it, over the Oceans, has the be thought of. With aircraft crossing in 60 mile wide lanes, avoiding weather or dealing with in flight emergencies would be a nightmare. Mind you, for navigation equipment failures you'd be allright!