EcoDemonstrator

Last updated
ecoDemonstrator Program
EcoDemonstrator logo.png
General information
Project forImproved fuel economy and ecological footprint
Reduced noise
History
Initiated2011
PredecessorsQuiet Technology Demonstrator
SuccessorsecoDemonstrator Explorer

The ecoDemonstrator Program is a Boeing flight test research program, which has used a series of specially modified aircraft to develop and test aviation technologies designed to improve fuel economy and reduce the noise and ecological footprint of airliners.

Contents

Starting in 2012, several aircraft have tested a total of over 250 technologies as of 2024; half remain in further development, but nearly a third have been implemented commercially, [1] such as iPad apps for pilot real-time information to reduce fuel use and emissions; custom approach paths to reduce community noise; and cameras for ground navigation and collision avoidance. [2]

Boeing's named airliner technology programs started in 2001 with the Quiet Technology Demonstrator, and have continued, through the ecoDemonstrator, to the ecoDemonstrator Explorer program announced in 2023.

Quiet Technology Demonstrator program

The ecoDemonstrator program followed the joint Rolls-Royce and Boeing Quiet Technology Demonstrator (QTD) program, which ran in 2001, 2005 and 2018 to develop a quieter engine using chevrons on the rear of the nacelle and exhaust nozzles, as well as an acoustically enhanced inlet liner. [3] In 2001 an American Airlines Boeing 777-200ER with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines was used for the flight tests. [4] Much testing was carried out at Glasgow Industrial Airport, Montana, the airport of Boeing's subsidiary, [5] Montana Aviation Research Company (MARCO). [6] The tests were successful, demonstrating better noise reduction than predicted [7] and leading to redesign of wing leading edge de-icing holes to eliminate whistling, a modification which was immediately applied on the 777 production line. [8] Once the QTD2 program began, this program started to be referred to as QTD1.

QTD2 went on to fly with All Nippon Airways as JA733A JA733A (7608618534).jpg
QTD2 went on to fly with All Nippon Airways as JA733A

The resulting design changes were demonstrated in the 2005 Quiet Technology Demonstrator Two (QTD2) program in which a new Boeing 777-300ER, fitted with General Electric GE90-115B engines, was used for a three-week trial, again mainly at Boeing's flight test centre at Glasgow Industrial Airport. [9] [10] As well as the modifications, the aircraft was equipped with extensive sound measurement equipment, and microphone arrays were laid out around the airfield. [11] The chevrons have since been adopted on the Boeing 737 MAX series, 747-8 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft. [12] Also tested on the QTD2 were streamlined toboggan fairings on the main landing gear to reduce noise. [6]

In 2018 a new design of engine inlet liner was flight tested in a successor program, Quiet Technology Demonstrator 3 (QTD3), using acoustic arrays at Moses Lake, Washington. [13] The NASA-designed inlet was installed in the right-hand nacelle of one of Boeing's two 737 MAX 7 prototypes, [14] powered by CFM International LEAP 1B engines. The testing took place between 27 July and 6 August. [15]

QTD aircraft summary

YearProgramAircraftPreviouslyRegistrationLiveryFate
2001QTD (QTD1)Boeing 777-200ERNewN757AN[ citation needed ]American AirlinesDelivered to American Airlines
2005QTD2Boeing 777-300ERNewN5014K All Nippon Airways (ANA)Delivered to ANA as JA733A
2018QTD3Boeing 737 MAX 7BoeingN7201S[ citation needed ]Boeing house colorsReturned to Boeing

ecoDemonstrator program

The ecoDemonstrator program was formally launched in 2011, in partnership with American Airlines and the FAA. [16] The first ecoDemonstrator aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, operated during 2012. Since then a different aircraft has been used each year, excepting 2013 and 2017 and a single aircraft from 2022 to 2024, with testing operations lasting from a few weeks to over six months. The testing is usually done in collaboration with many industry partners, including NASA, the FAA, airlines, makers of engines, equipment and software, and academic institutions. [17] The results of the tests are rarely publicised, respecting the confidentiality of the industrial partners. As of 2024 the program has tested over 250 technologies, of which 28% have been implemented, 52% are still under development, and 20% "provided helpful learnings" and were abandoned. [1]

The 2022-4 aircraft, the ninth in the program, wore a special 10th anniversary livery. [18]

Participating aircraft

2012: Boeing 737-800

American Airlines Boeing 737-800 N897NN soon after its use as the first ecoDemonstrator Boeing 737-823, American Airlines AN2236182.jpg
American Airlines Boeing 737-800 N897NN soon after its use as the first ecoDemonstrator

This was a new aircraft destined for American Airlines and in their livery. With this, the first ecoDemonstrator, Boeing tested laminar flow technology for winglets, improving fuel efficiency by 1.8 percent. This fed directly into the design of the winglets used on the subsequent 737 MAX series. [19] The aircraft tested other technologies, including:

  • variable area fan nozzle to optimize engine efficiency
  • regenerative hydrogen fuel cell for aircraft electrical power
  • adaptive outer wing trailing edges for greater take-off lift and decreased drag in cruise [20]
  • active engine vibration control
  • flightpath optimization for operational efficiency
  • carpet made from recycled materials
  • sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). [21]

2014: Boeing 787-8

The fourth production 787, a Boeing test airframe, was employed as the second ecoDemonstrator. It conducted 35 projects including:

  • use of a 15% blend of SAF by both engines for nine flights [22]
  • acoustic ceramic matrix composite nozzle for weight and noise reduction [23]
  • aerodynamic and flight control improvements.
  • advanced wing coatings to reduce ice accumulation.
  • software applications and connectivity technologies that can improve flight planning, fuel-load optimization, in-flight routing, and landing.
  • touchscreen displays on the flight deck.
  • wireless sensors to reduce wiring, reduce weight and save fuel.
  • outer wing access doors made from recycled 787 carbon fibre.
  • development of the Airborne Spacing for Terminal Arrival Routes (ASTAR) system to reduce spacing between aircraft on approach to airports. [16]

2015: Boeing 757-200

Boeing 757-200 N757ET being inspected for insect debris by NASA researchers EcoDemonstrator on tarmac.jpg
Boeing 757-200 N757ET being inspected for insect debris by NASA researchers

This aircraft served with United Airlines for 23 years before being used by Boeing for the ecoDemonstrator program. The aircraft was painted in the TUI Group livery as a mark of their collaboration in the project, particularly in the environmental efficiency aspects. NASA's Langley Research Center was also a major participant as part of its Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) project. [24] At the end of the testing period the aircraft was, in conjunction with the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association and the aircraft lessor Stifel, disassembled for recycling. [25] [26] Around 90% of materials were reused or recycled. [27]

Among the 20 technologies explored were:

  • improvement of airflow with insect shields and anti-bug coatings on one wing
  • active flow control over the vertical tail with the aim of increasing efficiency and reducing its size
  • cabin food cart that converts to a waste cart [28]
  • green diesel fuel testing. [29]

2016: Embraer E170

The third E170 prototype first flew in 2002 and was retained by Embraer as a test and demonstration aircraft. It was the only non-Boeing aircraft so far to participate as an ecoDemonstrator. [30] Testing projects included:

  • use of LIDAR to complement existing air data sensors
  • ice-phobic paint to reduce icing and insect debris buildup
  • new noise-reducing flaps
  • special sensors to investigate airflow and improve aerodynamics
  • use of 10% Brazil-produced bio-fuel and 90% standard kerosene. [31]

2018: Boeing 777F

FedEx Boeing 777F N878FD after its use as an ecoDemonstrator N878FD (45014190825).jpg
FedEx Boeing 777F N878FD after its use as an ecoDemonstrator

FedEx supplied a newly delivered 777 freighter for use in the ecoDemonstrator program. After two months of conversion, it was used in the testing program for around three months before restoration to its freighter role. Technologies explored included:

  • smaller, lighter weight thrust reverser
  • Safran electrical power distribution system
  • use of 100% biofuel – the first commercial airliner to be entirely powered by SAF. The engines were not modified in any way [32]
  • 3D printed titanium tail fin cap using waste material and reducing the weight
  • synthetic ILS using GPS giving increased reliability and potentially allowing reduced separation of aircraft on approach
  • wake riding, involving flying closely behind another aircraft to give a fuel efficiency increase of up to 10%
  • LIDAR clear-air turbulence detector
  • SOCAS – Surface Operations and Collision Avoidance System, merging radar and video images for obstacle detection [19]
  • FLYHT Aerospace Solutions’ Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) for tracking, distress and data-streaming from flight data recorders. [27]

2019: Boeing 777-200

Boeing 777-200 N772ET in the 2019 ecoDemonstrator livery at the Future of Flight Museum in Everett, WA 2019 777-200 Boeing ecoDemonstrator Flight Test Airplane (WA249).jpg
Boeing 777-200 N772ET in the 2019 ecoDemonstrator livery at the Future of Flight Museum in Everett, WA

This airliner had served Air China since 2001 before Boeing purchased it to join the ecoDemonstrator program. [33] During testing, the aircraft visited Frankfurt, Germany, as several experiments were sponsored by German organisations including the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Diehl Aerospace, and Fraport. Among the 50 projects trialled were:

  • recyclable cabin carpet tiles
  • moisture-absorbent toilet floor made from recycled carbon fibre
  • chromate-free primer for aluminium parts to reduce manufacturing health risks [34]
  • sharing digital information between air traffic control (ATC), the flight deck and an airline's operations center to optimize routing efficiency and safety
  • a connected electronic flight bag (EFB) application to provide re-routing information
  • connected galleys, lavatories, and cabin temperature and humidity sensors
  • cameras for an outside view for passengers. [19]

2020: Boeing 787-10

Etihad 787-10 A6-BMI in 2021, after being the 2020 ecoDemonstrator Etihad Boeing 787-10 A6-BMI EcoDemonstrator.jpg
Etihad 787-10 A6-BMI in 2021, after being the 2020 ecoDemonstrator

This new aircraft for Etihad Airways was used for just a few weeks between August and October 2020, [35] with testing mainly carried out at Boeing's Glasgow Industrial Airport, Montana. [36] The program included:

  • noise measurement with over 1400 sensors for internal and external measurements
  • noise reduction including Safran undercarriage modifications [37]
  • SAF testing with blends of 30% to 50%
  • sanitisation methods for the COVID-19 pandemic. [38]
  • digital text-based ATC routing communications. [39]

2021: Boeing 737 MAX 9

Boeing 737 MAX 9 ecoDemonstrator in its special Alaska Airlines livery Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 ecoDemonstrator N60436.jpg
Boeing 737 MAX 9 ecoDemonstrator in its special Alaska Airlines livery

This 5-month program was conducted with a new airframe originally destined for Corendon Dutch Airlines but was painted in a special Alaska Airlines livery with ecoDemonstrator stickers. [40] In October 2021 the aircraft flew from Seattle to Glasgow, Scotland, for the United Nations COP26 Climate Change Conference, bringing executives from Boeing and Alaska Airlines and fuelled by a 50% SAF fuel blend. [27] The testing program included:

  • low profile anti-collision light for weight and drag reduction and increased visibility
  • modernised ATC communications including the Inmarsat IRIS satellite communications system [41]
  • halon-free fire extinguishing (ground testing only)
  • noise reduction engine nacelles including testing at Glasgow Industrial Airport, Montana [42]
  • cabin walls made from recycled material [43]
  • 50% SAF blend [27]
  • atmospheric greenhouse gas measurement system integration for airliners
  • passenger air vent designs to create an air curtain between seat rows. [44]

2022: Boeing 777-200ER

Boeing 777-200ER ecoDemonstrator N861BC at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2022 Boeing 777-200ER ecoDemonstrator N861BC.jpg
Boeing 777-200ER ecoDemonstrator N861BC at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2022

The aircraft was originally delivered to Singapore Airlines in 2002, and flew most recently for Surinam Airways. It wears a livery celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ecoDemonstrator program. Boeing implied that this aircraft will operate as the ecoDemonstrator test aircraft until 2024. [17] The company stated that the six-month 2022 program would demonstrate 30 new technologies, [45] among which were:

  • the use of a 30% SAF blend
  • disinfection of water from sinks for reuse in toilet flushing
  • weight reduction through 3D printed parts
  • noise reduction techniques
  • vortex generators which retract during cruise
  • head-worn head-up display enhanced vision system
  • fire-fighting system that does not use Halon
  • environmentally-friendly galley cooler refrigerant. [46]
2023

In April 2023 Boeing announced that the 777-200ER would be testing 19 technologies during the year, including:

  • cargo hold wall panels made from recycled and sustainable materials
  • fibre-optic fuel quantity sensors compatible with SAF
  • smart airport maps by Boeing subsidiary Jeppesen for active airport taxiing monitoring for EFBs [47]
  • all flights to use SAF in the highest available blend [48]

Between 25 June and 29 June 2023 the aircraft operated from London Stansted Airport, [49] performing flights over The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic, subsequently returning to its base at Seattle. [50] As of January 2024 no announcement had been made about the purpose of these flights.

In December 2023, in cooperation with Nav Canada, the aircraft taxied from stand to runway at Vancouver International Airport using only digital communications via the EFB, with no voice contact with ATC. [51]

2024

In May 2024 Boeing announced that the aircraft would be flying its program with a 30/70 mix of SAF and conventional fuel, starting later the same month. Among the 36 technologies to be tested would be:

  • cabin seat sensors to detect if a passenger leaves their seat during taxiing, takeoff and landing, touchless lavatory and more efficient galleys to increase efficiency and reduce food waste
  • single-engine taxiing and digital taxi clearances
  • steeper, continuous landing approaches for noise, fuel and emissions reduction
  • recyclable, lighter and more durable cabin flooring and ceiling panels
  • improved cabin insulation and bulkhead and galley acoustic panels. [52]
  • OLED display screens integrated into cabin structure. [53]

Also tested were enhancements of the Jeppesen EFB which included in-flight fuel saving recommendations and prediction of taxi times using historical and real-time data. [54]

In September 2024 Boeing announced that during this round of testing it had performed 85 ground and 15 flight testing hours, testing 10 technologies, and highlighting the fuel and noise reduction benefits of modified approaches, some of which had already been adopted by the ICAO. [55]

On 9 September the aircraft flew from Seattle to Victorville, California. [50]

ecoDemonstrator aircraft summary

Most information from Planespotters.net [56]

YearAircraftPreviouslyRegistrationLiveryFate
2012 Boeing 737-800NewN897NNAmerican AirlinesDelivered to American Airlines
2014 Boeing 787-8BoeingN7874 [57] Boeing house colorsRetained by Boeing
2015 Boeing 757-200United Airlines N506UAN757ETTUIParted-out at Moses Lake
2016 Embraer E170EmbraerPP-XJB [58] SpecialReturned to Embraer
2018 Boeing 777FFedExN878FDFedExReturned to FedEx
2019 Boeing 777-200Air China B-2068N772ETBoeing house colorsStored at Victorville
2020 Boeing 787-10NewN8572CEtihad AirwaysDelivered to Etihad Airways as A6-BMI
2021 Boeing 737 MAX 9NewN60436Alaska Airlines specialDelivered to Alaska Airlines as N979AK
2022-4 Boeing 777-200ERSurinam Airways PZ-TCUN861BCSpecial

All aircraft apart from the 2022 777 had ecoDemonstrator stickers applied to the fuselage or engine nacelles, at least one retaining them for some time after its participation in the program ended. [59]

ecoDemonstrator Explorer program

EcoDemonstrator Explorer logo.png

In April 2023 Boeing announced a new program, ecoDemonstrator Explorer, using "platforms that will focus on short-term testing of a specific technology"'. [48]

Projects

First project

The first ecoDemonstrator Explorer was a 787-10. using the aircraft's technologies along with coordination with the air navigation service providers (ANSPs) of the US, Japan, Singapore and Thailand to optimise routings for greatest possible efficiency across variables such as weather, air traffic and airspace closures. This is the basis of an international form of trajectory-based operations (TBO), already part of the US FAA's national NextGen project. The ANSPs will coordinate to streamline the flow of traffic through multiple national jurisdictions. [60] The test flights will use the highest available blends of SAF in the process. Boeing expects that the fuel burn could be reduced by up to 10%. [48]

N8290V in Vietnam Airlines livery at London Stansted Airport in 2022 VN-A876 - Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner - Vietnam Airlines STN 100922.jpg
N8290V in Vietnam Airlines livery at London Stansted Airport in 2022

In June 2023 787-10 N8290V (a Boeing test registration) was used for the first Explorer test/demonstration flights. [A] The aircraft, built in 2021 for Vietnam Airlines but not taken up, was unmarked except for basic Boeing logos and “ecoDemonstrator EXPLORER” stickers. [62] It left Seattle on 11 June, flying first to Tokyo (Narita). From there it flew to Singapore (Changi) on 13 June, then on to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) on 14 June, [63] and returned direct to Seattle (Everett) on 16 June. [64]

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) stated that this was part of a three-year programme. Boeing's chief pilot for product development stated that the TBO system, using technologies already in use aboard many modern airliners, allows pilots and air traffic controllers to make trial route change requests to see the cascading effects of the change on their, and other aircraft's flights, all the way through to airport gate availability, to see if they are likely to be approved. [63]

In October 2023 it was announced that the ANSPs of China, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and the USA would create a Pathfinder project to demonstrate TBO across the region within four years. Separately the ANSPs of Indonesia, New Zealand and Singapore, along with the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), and IATA agreed to implement within a year a similar Free Route Operations (FRTO) project to provide routings between defined city pairs. [65]

Second project

737 MAX 10 ecoDemonstrator Explorer N27602 in its special United Airlines livery NASA's DC-8 aircraft tracks fuel in ecoDemonstrator 2023 project with Boeing, partners (AFRC2023-0166-225) (cropped).jpg
737 MAX 10 ecoDemonstrator Explorer N27602 in its special United Airlines livery

On 12 October 2023 Boeing announced a second ecoDemonstrator Explorer project. It evaluated the environmental characteristics of SAF [66] using a new 737 MAX 10 destined for United Airlines. Registered N27602, it made its first flight on 14 September 2023 and wore a special livery with "ecoDemonstrator EXPLORER" titles and "The Future is SAF" markings on the nacelles. [67] It flew running on SAF from one fuel tank, alternating with conventional fuel from another tank. The emissions from the CFM International LEAP 1B engines were sampled by the NASA Douglas DC-8 Airborne Science Lab, registered N817NA, which flew behind the test aircraft. [68] The characteristics of contrails produced were evaluated. [69] Also collaborating on the project are the FAA, GE Aerospace, and the DLR. [70] NASA stated that the test results will be released to the public. [68]

NASA's DC-8 approaching Everett during the SAF emissions tests NASA's DC-8 aircraft tracks fuel in ecoDemonstrator 2023 project with Boeing, partners (AFRC2023-0166-125) (cropped).jpg
NASA’s DC-8 approaching Everett during the SAF emissions tests

Test flights started on 12 October 2023, based at Everett Paine Field. 11 flights were performed, 8 over Montana and three over the Pacific off the coast of Oregon, at constant altitudes ranging from 30,000 ft (9,100 m) to 38,000 ft (12,000 m). The average duration of each flight was around five hours, generally flying an extended racetrack pattern. At the end of the final test flight on 1 November, the Explorer aircraft returned to Everett while the DC-8 flew back to Plant 42, Palmdale, California. [71] [72]

ecoDemonstrator Explorer aircraft summary

DateTest topicAircraftPreviouslyRegistrationLiveryFate
June 2023 Trajectory-based operationsBoeing 787-10Boeing testbed (Vietnam Airlines VN-A876 not taken up)N8290VPlain white with stickersRetained as Boeing testbed
October/November 2023 SAF emissionsBoeing 737 MAX 10NewN27602United Airlines specialTo be delivered to United Airlines [B]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ This aircraft, in full Vietnam Airlines livery, had already been used as a Boeing test aircraft, notably in the UK during 2022. The purpose of the testing was not revealed by Boeing, but was rumoured to be in connection with 5G wireless radio transmissions. [61]
  2. ↑ At that time the MAX 10 model had not been certificated, so could not be delivered to any airlines.

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A hybrid electric aircraft is an aircraft with a hybrid electric powertrain. As the energy density of lithium-ion batteries is much lower than aviation fuel, a hybrid electric powertrain may effectively increase flight range compared to pure electric aircraft. By May 2018, there were over 30 hybrid electric aircraft projects, and short-haul hybrid-electric airliners were envisioned from 2032.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing X-66</span> Experimental aircraft

The Boeing X-66 is an experimental airliner under development by Boeing. It is part of the X-plane series, and is being developed in collaboration with NASA and its Sustainable Flight Demonstrator program. It will use an extra-long and thin wing design stabilized by diagonal bracing struts, which is known as a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing. The aircraft configuration is based on research studies referred to as "Subsonic Ultra-Green Aircraft Reach (SUGAR)" which extensively studied truss-bracing and hybrid electric technologies.

References

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