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EcoDemonstrator
The ecoDemonstrator Program is a Boeing flight test research program, which has used a series of specially modified aircraft to develop and test aviation technologies designed to improve fuel economy and reduce the noise and ecological footprint of airliners.
Starting in 2012, several aircraft have tested a total of over 250 technologies as of 2024; half remain in further development, but nearly a third have been implemented commercially, such as iPad apps for pilot real-time information to reduce fuel use and emissions; custom approach paths to reduce community noise; and cameras for ground navigation and collision avoidance.
Boeing's named airliner technology programs started in 2001 with the Quiet Technology Demonstrator, and have continued, through the ecoDemonstrator, to the ecoDemonstrator Explorer program announced in 2023.
The ecoDemonstrator program followed the joint Rolls-Royce and Boeing Quiet Technology Demonstrator (QTD) program, which ran in 2001, 2005 and 2018 to develop a quieter engine using chevrons on the rear of the nacelle and exhaust nozzles, as well as an acoustically enhanced inlet liner. In 2001 an American Airlines Boeing 777-200ER with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines was used for the flight tests. Much testing was carried out at Glasgow Industrial Airport, Montana, the airport of Boeing's subsidiary, Montana Aviation Research Company (MARCO). The tests were successful, demonstrating better noise reduction than predicted and leading to redesign of wing leading edge de-icing holes to eliminate whistling, a modification which was immediately applied on the 777 production line. Once the QTD2 program began, this program started to be referred to as QTD1.
The resulting design changes were demonstrated in the 2005 Quiet Technology Demonstrator Two (QTD2) program in which a new Boeing 777-300ER, fitted with General Electric GE90-115B engines, was used for a three-week trial, again mainly at Boeing's flight test centre at Glasgow Industrial Airport. As well as the modifications, the aircraft was equipped with extensive sound measurement equipment, and microphone arrays were laid out around the airfield. The chevrons have since been adopted on the Boeing 737 MAX series, 747-8 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Also tested on the QTD2 were streamlined toboggan fairings on the main landing gear to reduce noise.
In 2018 a new design of engine inlet liner was flight tested in a successor program, Quiet Technology Demonstrator 3 (QTD3), using acoustic arrays at Moses Lake, Washington. The NASA-designed inlet was installed in the right-hand nacelle of one of Boeing's two 737 MAX 7 prototypes, powered by CFM International LEAP 1B engines. The testing took place between July 27 and August 6.
The ecoDemonstrator program was formally launched in 2011, in partnership with American Airlines and the FAA. The first ecoDemonstrator aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, operated during 2012. Since then a different aircraft has been used each year, excepting 2013 and 2017 and a single aircraft from 2022 to 2024, with testing operations lasting from a few weeks to over six months. The testing is usually done in collaboration with many industry partners, including NASA, the FAA, airlines, makers of engines, equipment and software, and academic institutions. The results of the tests are rarely publicised, respecting the confidentiality of the industrial partners. As of 2024 the program has tested over 250 technologies, of which 28% have been implemented, 52% are still under development, and 20% "provided helpful learnings" and were abandoned.
The 2022-4 aircraft, the ninth in the program, wore a special 10th anniversary livery.
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EcoDemonstrator
The ecoDemonstrator Program is a Boeing flight test research program, which has used a series of specially modified aircraft to develop and test aviation technologies designed to improve fuel economy and reduce the noise and ecological footprint of airliners.
Starting in 2012, several aircraft have tested a total of over 250 technologies as of 2024; half remain in further development, but nearly a third have been implemented commercially, such as iPad apps for pilot real-time information to reduce fuel use and emissions; custom approach paths to reduce community noise; and cameras for ground navigation and collision avoidance.
Boeing's named airliner technology programs started in 2001 with the Quiet Technology Demonstrator, and have continued, through the ecoDemonstrator, to the ecoDemonstrator Explorer program announced in 2023.
The ecoDemonstrator program followed the joint Rolls-Royce and Boeing Quiet Technology Demonstrator (QTD) program, which ran in 2001, 2005 and 2018 to develop a quieter engine using chevrons on the rear of the nacelle and exhaust nozzles, as well as an acoustically enhanced inlet liner. In 2001 an American Airlines Boeing 777-200ER with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines was used for the flight tests. Much testing was carried out at Glasgow Industrial Airport, Montana, the airport of Boeing's subsidiary, Montana Aviation Research Company (MARCO). The tests were successful, demonstrating better noise reduction than predicted and leading to redesign of wing leading edge de-icing holes to eliminate whistling, a modification which was immediately applied on the 777 production line. Once the QTD2 program began, this program started to be referred to as QTD1.
The resulting design changes were demonstrated in the 2005 Quiet Technology Demonstrator Two (QTD2) program in which a new Boeing 777-300ER, fitted with General Electric GE90-115B engines, was used for a three-week trial, again mainly at Boeing's flight test centre at Glasgow Industrial Airport. As well as the modifications, the aircraft was equipped with extensive sound measurement equipment, and microphone arrays were laid out around the airfield. The chevrons have since been adopted on the Boeing 737 MAX series, 747-8 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Also tested on the QTD2 were streamlined toboggan fairings on the main landing gear to reduce noise.
In 2018 a new design of engine inlet liner was flight tested in a successor program, Quiet Technology Demonstrator 3 (QTD3), using acoustic arrays at Moses Lake, Washington. The NASA-designed inlet was installed in the right-hand nacelle of one of Boeing's two 737 MAX 7 prototypes, powered by CFM International LEAP 1B engines. The testing took place between July 27 and August 6.
The ecoDemonstrator program was formally launched in 2011, in partnership with American Airlines and the FAA. The first ecoDemonstrator aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, operated during 2012. Since then a different aircraft has been used each year, excepting 2013 and 2017 and a single aircraft from 2022 to 2024, with testing operations lasting from a few weeks to over six months. The testing is usually done in collaboration with many industry partners, including NASA, the FAA, airlines, makers of engines, equipment and software, and academic institutions. The results of the tests are rarely publicised, respecting the confidentiality of the industrial partners. As of 2024 the program has tested over 250 technologies, of which 28% have been implemented, 52% are still under development, and 20% "provided helpful learnings" and were abandoned.
The 2022-4 aircraft, the ninth in the program, wore a special 10th anniversary livery.