The flight of airliners in formation inspired by wild geese could save 5 to 10% of fuel, according to Airbus, which announced on Wednesday the signing of an agreement with airlines and air traffic organizations to demonstrate its operational feasibility.
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"
Birds like wild geese fly in a V-shaped formation in order to preserve their energy, there is a kind of lift offered by the lead bird to those who follow
", explained Jean-Brice Dumont, director of the engineering at Airbus, during an online conference of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Each aircraft engine produces in its wake a vortex containing an ascending air current from which a following aircraft could benefit to reduce the thrust of its engines and therefore reduce its consumption.
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In 2016, a test flight with an A350 flying three kilometers behind an A380 "
demonstrated an instantaneous saving of over 10% on fuel consumption
," he explained.
It remains to prove the operational feasibility of this project, called fello'fly.
