How Slow Can We Go: should we design next-gen aircraft to fly slower?

12 Sep, 2024

👨‍🔬 Georgi Atanasov is an aerospace engineer who specialises in overall aircraft design, multidisciplinary optimization methods and tools at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in Hamburg. His work in the DLR focuses on developing aircraft concepts for improved sustainability.

✈️ In this talk Georgi stepped the audience through the results of his studies looking at how to maximise fuel efficiency on the next generation of commercial aircraft. The talk focused on the potential benefits of designing propeller-powered aircraft to fly at a lower optimum cruise speed in order to enable a variety of aircraft design benefits.

👉 Watch the recording of the talk here:

Following the talk we facilitated a discussion session where the audience asked questions, shared opinions, and deliberated on the topic of slower flight:

  • What are the benefits and challenges with this approach?
  • How might flying slower effect aviation workers and jobs?
  • What should the Safe Landing position on flying slower be?
  • How can we address the topic in the industry, politics and in the media?
  • How should we best communicate our positions?

👀 View the presentation pack here.

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