Hypermiling a Transatlantic Boeing 777

[thewayne]

It was an arranged test where the pilots had more flexibility with their route to optimize their use of prevailing wind, and they saved over 1,400 gallons of jet fuel. There are 600 transatlantic flights daily. It would take some overhaul of the international air traffic control system, but with the advent of GPS navigation rather than ground/radar, this is possible.

One thing they don't mention is if it significantly increased flight time.

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/06/united-airlines-tries-hypermiling-with-a-boeing-777/

Comments

[silveradept]

I would think it didn't do too much for flight time, considering they were taking advantage of as much extra wind boost as they could and powering through the resistance at weak points. I'd almost say it should have cut the flight time.

I like this idea of flexible flying columns and using onboard-aircraft systems to find and avoid one's fellow flyers.