Flying-V From KLM Will Use Electric Turbofans

While Boeing and JetBlue made efforts to reduce CO2 emissions with hybrid electric planes, KLM has been working on Flying-V, a V-shaped plane that could carry cargo, fuel and passengers in its wings. The concept showed up a couple of days ago, followed by a teaser and now we have more information on it.

The plane concept is part of Netherland’s and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ initiative to cut its CO2 emissions by 35% towards the end of 2030.

“We’ve been flying these tube and wing airplanes for decades now, but it seems like the configuration is reaching a plateau in terms of energy efficiency,” TU Delft project leader Roelof Vos told CNN. “The new configuration that we propose realizes some synergy between the fuselage and the wing. The fuselage actively contributes to the lift of the airplane, and creates less aerodynamic drag.”

Not only is the design working towards greener air travel, but also the fuel used. KLM’s plan is to eventually switch from two rear-mounted turbofan engines and kerosene to electric turbofans.

Until then, much more testing it is needed. The plane is set to fly at low speeds to judge its stability.

“We’ve done numerical testing and preliminary wind tunnel tests, but we need to do much more testing in wind tunnels — high speed and low speed — to demonstrate that this airplane is efficient as we think,” Vos was quoted as saying by CNN Travel.

While the plane will enter the service much later on, the prototype will be unveiled this fall, more precisely at the KLM Experience Days at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) on October 3-13.