Airbus Concept Plane 'offers a glimpse into future air travel'

Date: 23/7/2010

The Airbus Concept Plane is an example of how environmental aircrafts will be by 2050, one expert has indicated.

Chief of Engineering at Airbus Charles Champion said the jet, which was unveiled at the recent Farnborough Airshow, offers a glimpse into the future of air travel.

"Over the past 40 years we've reduced by 70 per cent the noise and fuel consumption [of aeroplanes]. But the target really would be to half that even more by 2050," he added.

Mr Champion explained the creators of the plane did not compromise on passenger needs when it came to deciding the concepts to be incorporated into the carrier.

He observed the aircraft uses less than three litres of fuel per 100 kilometres per passenger and also runs at an "incredible level of silence".

Furthermore, Mr Champion stated one challenge is to look at how the same technology used in the Airbus can be put into existing planes to make them greener.

The aircraft has a number of features that make it more eco-friendly, including semi-embedded engines, a U-shaped tail, ultra long and slim wings and a lightweight body.

Posted by Nick Anderson