AT-One - The ATM Research Alliance

ArkeFly, in collaboration with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR), has developed an alternative departure procedure for its aircraft departing from Schiphol Airport. Aircraft can fly faster when using this alternative departure procedure than they can when following the traditional departure procedures. The alternative procedure allows aircraft to retract their flaps and slats earlier, resulting in less wind resistance, which saves ArkeFly fuel and time, and consequently results in less CO2 emissions.

Comprehensive tests will now be conducted over the next six months. On June 21 the first ArkeFly flight departed from Schiphol using this new departure procedure. In addition to saving fuel and reducing CO2 emissions, the tests will also map the effects this new procedure has on noise levels in the areas around Schiphol Airport. ArkeFly's existing flight routes will remain unchanged.

During the experiments, the NLR and Schiphol are jointly responsible for the research of the environmental effects, particularly noise impact, emissions and CO2 emissions. NLR will therefore contribute to the analysis of the noise measurements data derived from the NOMOS ('Noise Monitoring System' used at Schiphol Airport) measurement stations. Based on NOMOS data the effects on noise impact will be determined. In addition, NLR researchers will analyze the flight data (from the flight recorders) of the ArkeFly aircraft and also the flight data from flights conducted during simulator tests.

Alternative departure procedure in detail
ArkeFly has already been using this alternative departure procedure at various other international airports. TUI's large international fleet – of which ArkeFly aircraft is part – will also adopt this alternative procedure. The alternative departure procedure works as follows: each aircraft has an optimal climbing speed at which it can ascend using the lowest amount of fuel possible. Currently, aircraft departing from Schiphol reach this optimum climbing speed at around 3,000 feet (approximately 900 metres). The tests that started on June 21 will determine what the effects will be if an aircraft accelerates at a lower altitude to reach its maximum climbing speed. Passengers in ArkeFly aircraft will not notice that tests are being conducted.

More information:
NLR
Ingrid Leeuwangh
003120-5113663 or 00316-13289669
ingrid.leeuwangh@nlr.nl