Etihad teams up with Nasa and Boeing to test cleaner, quieter flights

The ecoDemonstrator Dreamliner flights are also trialling technology for safer flying amid the pandemic

An Etihad Airways 787 Dreamliner has been decked out with special equipment for Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator programme. Courtesy Etihad

Etihad Airways has started its test flights for Boeing's ecoDemonstrator programme, a scheme which aims to create a more sustainable way of flying.

In partnership with the US aircraft manufacturer and Nasa, the UAE's national airline is trialling technology that could help reduce aircraft noise and cut emissions in the future.

Etihad's new 787-10 Dreamliner is due to be delivered to Abu Dhabi by the end of September, but before that happens, the jet has some important work to do.

As the first Dreamliner to partake in Boeing's ecoDemonstrator programme, the 787 will make a series of test flights to gather information on several technologies. Results will be shared with aviation industry leaders as a means to help improve airspace efficiency, reduce fuel use, lower noise for the community and cut flight emissions.

More than 1,000 microphones on board

The Dreamliner has been fitted with 1,200 microphones, which will be used to gather data about acoustics, something that Nasa has a keen interest in.

“At Nasa, we’ve been researching the individual aircraft noise sources, their interactions with the airframe and how they combine to the total aircraft noise,” said Nasa's technical lead, Dr Russell Thomas.

“This unique, carefully designed flight test provides the environment where all these effects are measured, which will be key to advancing our ability to design lower-noise aircraft.”

Coronavirus-related testing

As part of Boeing’s Confident Travel Initiative to address Covid-19, the jet will also be used to test the effectiveness of airline policies on disinfection in relation to the coronavirus.

A hand-held ultraviolet light that Boeing has invented will be tested during the Dreamliner's ecoDemonstrator flights. Results will help determine whether the wand should be added to cabin cleaning tools currently in use to disinfect and sanitise cabins and flight decks.

Etihad previously carried out in-service trials on some of its Boeing and Airbus aircrafts to provide initial feedback on the second generation prototype of the wand.

Flying for a sustainable future

The testing programme is set to last about 10 days and all of the flights are being flown on a blend of 50 per cent sustainable fuel.

“Sustainability remains a priority for Etihad in spite of the current Covid-19 crisis and this is just one initiative we’ve taken since the start of the pandemic to continue our drive for sustainable aviation," explained Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Aviation Group's chief operating officer.

"As far as Etihad is concerned, environmental sustainability shouldn’t be an option or fair-weather project to be shelved when it’s not convenient against other challenges.”

Etihad will release more information and updates on the test flights over the coming 10 days as it aims to test technologies to help find real-world solutions that can make flying safer and more sustainable.