Airplanes will fly like a flock of ducks, reducing fuel consumption

Various organizations around the world are conducting research to operate environmentally friendly and sustainable aircraft or Airplanes. However, this time, several airlines are moving towards inventing a new method of saving fuel by following the flight strategy of birds. Experts believe that this technique will not only reduce the cost of air travel, but also play an important role in reducing carbon emissions. Since ancient times, humans have been developing various technologies by imitating nature. Italian painter and scientist Leonardo da Vinci first studied the flight techniques of birds in 1500, based on which the idea of ​​building modern aircraft later came. In this continuation, in 2019, Airbus launched a project called ‘Fellows Fly’ (bird flock-bound flight). It is mainly inspired by bird flock-bound flight and is moving towards inventing a technology called Walk Energy Retrieval (WURE).

This technology is an innovative strategy to reduce aircraft fuel consumption. Normally, when an aircraft flies in the sky, a strong wind path is created behind it, which wastes a lot of energy. The WUER technology recovers this wind energy and uses it again to propel the aircraft. As a result, researchers believe that it will be possible to reduce fuel consumption by 5-10%.

In 2023, the European Union’s research agency (SESAR) launched a new project called the GISS project with a grant of 10 million euros for this project. Delta Airlines and Airbus will implement the experimental technique in mid-2025. In a test flight conducted over the Atlantic Ocean, an Air France plane will fly from New York to London and a Delta Airlines plane from Miami to London.

The two planes will separated by 1,000 feet (303 meters) in altitude and 1.2 nautical miles (2.2 kilometers) apart in the test, which has been shown to be suitable for fuel savings in the laboratory.

In this regard, Delta Airlines Chief Sustainability Officer Amelia DeLuca said that with a goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050, Delta’s Carbon Council reported saving 41 million gallons (65,800 tons) of jet fuel in 2024.

She also mentioned several strategies to save fuel. For example, using ground power instead of running the engines while on the ground. Ground power refers to a power source that, instead of the aircraft’s engines, powers the aircraft while on the ground. It also helps to provide electricity to the aircraft without running the engines. This saves fuel and reduces its impact on the environment.

In addition, choosing a shorter and straighter path during landing of the aircraft, which saves fuel and takes less time. And installing winglets pointed upwards at the tips of the wings. Because these winglets help save fuel by controlling the flow of air during flight.

Eco-friendly Fuels and Future Plans

In addition to fuel savings, the aviation industry is giving importance to the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Although it is three times more expensive than conventional fuel, Airbus and Delta Airlines have pledged to purchase sustainable fuel from 2025.

According to experts, it is possible to significantly reduce the carbon emissions of the aviation industry by using SAF. In the meantime, various organizations are working to develop eco-friendly aviation technology by imitating natural designs.

For example, the new Xta Performance Wing is being developed. Which will be flexible like a bird’s wing. This is working with NASA to research the creation of a coating that prevent water absorption like water-lotus leaves. Even, it is trying to develop a technology called AeroSarc, which will be like shark skin and reduce fuel consumption.