Take-off aided by magnetic levitation technology

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to analyze changes in the selected characteristics of an aircraft aided by a ground-based system using magnetic levitation (MAGLEV) to support safe take-off.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis of the mass characteristics of the main aircraft units with conventional constructing solutions was carried out in this paper. It allowed determining the mass of these units and verifying the obtained results on the basis of the known examples. Thanks to such an approach it was possible to determine the mass of the aircraft modified for the requirements of the ground and on-board system for support of the aircraft safe take-off and landing (GABRIEL) system taking into account the change in the weights of the modified units (fuselage, wings, power unit, landing gear, etc.). The weight of the aircraft in its basic version was determined on the basis of the common knowledge and methods described in the scientific literature which are based on the statistical analysis. The weight of the modified units for the needs of the GABRIEL system was determined on the basis of similar formulas taking into account the constructional changes in the airframe. The thrust required of the power unit was determined on the basis of the analysis of the steady state of the horizontal flight for the calculating aerodynamic characteristics determined by conventional methods. The characteristics in the take-off phase were determined solving the equation of motion of the aircraft influenced by the aerodynamic, electrodynamic forces and the forces that come from the power unit.

Findings

The preliminary analysis shows that the take-off aid system that uses the phenomenon of MAGLEV is possible to be created using the present-day technology. However, the costs of its realization would make it economically unproved. But it could increase safety and reduce harmful influence on the environment caused by taking-off and landing aircrafts.

Research limitations/implications

The analysis was carried out only for one chosen version of the solution which according to the author has the greatest chance to succeed. At the present-day state of the art, it seems problematic to use the proposed system to aid landing.

Practical implications

The work shows a practical possibility to implement the proposed solution. The results of the analyses are a separate point for further research of similar systems.

Originality/value

The work presents one of the aspects of the potential application of the innovatory conception of take-off and landing aid of transport aircrafts by the ground-based system using the MAGLEV technology.

Citation

Robert Majka, A. (2013), "Take-off aided by magnetic levitation technology", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 85 No. 6, pp. 435-442. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-10-2012-0195