Honeywell and Safran have successfully tested their electric green taxiing system on German airliner TUIfly’s Boeing Next Generation 737-800 aircraft in Montpellier, France, marking a step forward in development of the system.
During the tests, runway conditions were evaluated and the required loads for moving a Next-Generation 737 aircraft on ground were also calculated. The system, when employed, is expected to offer savings of about $200,000 for each aircraft every year.
Dieter Nirschl, TUIfly CEO, said: "As an environmentally conscious airline, we are keenly interested in the potential of the electric green taxiing system, and in particular evaluating its development for a Boeing short-haul fleet."
Honeywell’s auxiliary power unit (APU) generator, equipped in the currently under-development electric green taxiing system, will be used to power the motors in the main wheels and allow the aircraft to taxi without the use of its engines.
An electromechanical actuator will be equipped in each of the aircraft’s powered wheels, while the aircraft’s speed and direction during electric taxi operations can be controlled by the power electronics and system controllers.
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By GlobalDataHoneywell Aerospace Air Transport and Regional business global president John Bolton said the technology and focus on innovation will solve operational cost challenges and improve efficiencies.
"This second phase of the project will drive greater insight into how to make electric taxiing a more viable and efficient option for operators," Bolton added.
Apart from providing environmental benefits, the electric green taxiing system will also offer lower fuel burn, reduced noise and terminal congestion, enhanced on-time performance and more cost-efficient operations.
Honeywell and Safran are planning to offer the electric green taxiing system either on new aircraft or as a retrofit solution to operating aircraft by 2016.
Image: Honeywell and Safran have tested an electric green taxiing system on TUIfly’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Photo courtesy of: Juergen Lehle.
