Master Thesis Department of Automotive and Aeronautical Engineering Analysis of Ground Handling Characteristics of Innovative Aircraft Configurations Author: Diana Rico Sanchez Supervisor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dieter Scholz, MSME Delivered: 28.09.2009 2 Abstract This master thesis deals with the analysis of ground handling processes, the description and application of software programs that are able to simulate aircraft ground handling processes and possible innovative aircraft configurations, in the form of sketches, that could improve the turnaround process in terms of time and cost. The analysis of ground handling processes has been conducted from real-time ground handling videos recorded at Berlin-Schönefeld Airport. The data obtained has been used to develop statistical models in order to obtain mathematical equations. The equations have been constructed with rates which represent typical ground handling procedures. Based on the equations, typical input parameters for SIMBA (Simulation Tool for Aircraft Servicing) have been found. The simulation conducted shows a representative turnaround layout of the Airbus A320-200. The results of the simulation have been the turnaround costs, the turnaround bar chart and the compatibility of the ground vehicles movements. Knowledge has been gained through an expert interview. The information that has been found out with the interview is the critical paths in a normal turnaround with the relation of these critical paths with aircraft configurations. Sketches of innovative aircraft configurations are defined with a study of the main conventional attributes in ground handling. Innovative configurations are proposed and described with the assistance of three-view drawings. An analysis of these configurations has been carried out with the theoretical ground handling advantages and disadvantages in comparison of a conventional aircraft. Based on the different analyses conducted, all the information presented might be useful when developing an aircraft optimized for ground handling. 3 DEPARTMENT OF AUTOMOTIVE AND AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING ENGINEERING Analysis of Ground Handling Characteristics of Innovative Aircraft Configurations Project work towards a thesis at ETSIA UPM Background Ground handling costs are an important part of the overall direct operating costs of an aircraft. Moreover, in the airline business, where all competitors operate similar aircraft for comparable route length, a cost-efficient ground handling is one of the main competitive advantages. Hence, low cost ground handling is a key factor of the low cost airlines (LCA) business strategy. However, the potential competitive advantage of cost-efficient ground handling procedures is limited by the current aircraft configurations. Requirements for low cost ground handling could not have been taken into account for the existing aircraft, because LCA simply did not exist back then. For a new design, ground handling aspects must be taken into account, not only to successfully operate within the existing airport facilities but also for airline economics. This project is part of the aircraft design research project "ALOHA". Task The tasks of the project are as follows: Investigation on the single-aisle aircraft ground handling characteristics. Investigation of ground handling characteristics with the help of expert interviews. Analysis of the ARC (Airport Research Center) ground handling videos. Creation of analytical or statistical models for each ground handling service. Ground handling simulation of aircraft configurations with SIMBA (Simulation Tool for Aircraft Servicing). Ground handling simulation of aircraft configurations with CAST (Comprehensive Airport Simulation Tool) Creation, analysis and selection of the possible new innovative aircraft configurations. The report has to be written in English based on German or international standards on report writing. 4 Declaration This Master Thesis is entirely my own work. Where use has been made of the work of others, it has been totally acknowledged and referenced. Date Signature September 28, 2009 RICO SÁNCHEZ, Diana 5 Table of Contents Page List of Figures .....................................................................................................................7 List of Tables ...................................................................................................................10 List of Symbols ...................................................................................................................12 Greek Symbols ...................................................................................................................12 Subscripts ...................................................................................................................12 List of Abbreviations............................................................................................................15 1 Introduction.......................................................................................................16 1.1 Motivation ..........................................................................................................16 1.2 Definitions ..........................................................................................................16 1.3 Objectives ...........................................................................................................17 1.4 Literature ............................................................................................................18 1.5 Structure of Work................................................................................................20 2 Ground handling...............................................................................................22 2.1 Turnaround .........................................................................................................22 2.2 Ground handling general description...................................................................22 2.3 Ground handling processes..................................................................................23 2.4 Ground handling equipment ................................................................................26 2.5 Critical path of a turnaround................................................................................33 3 Aircraft ground handling features for LCA.....................................................35 3.1 General characteristics of aircraft ........................................................................35 3.2 Comparison of aircraft ground handling features .................................................36 4 Turnaround video analysis ...............................................................................39 4.1 Videos at Berlin-Schönefeld Airport ...................................................................39 4.2 Examples of the information taken from videos...................................................40 5 Statistical models...............................................................................................43 5.1 Passengers: deboarding/boarding.........................................................................43 5.2 Cargo: unloading/loading ....................................................................................46 5.3 Refuelling ...........................................................................................................51 5.4 Catering ..............................................................................................................57 5.5 Ground power .....................................................................................................59 5.6 Potable water service...........................................................................................60 5.7 Waste water service.............................................................................................61 5.8 Pushback.............................................................................................................63 5.9 Cleaning..............................................................................................................65 6 Turnaround simulation with SIMBA...............................................................66 6.1 Description of SIMBA ........................................................................................66 6.2 Application of SIMBA to a reference aircraft ......................................................70 7 CAST computer tool .........................................................................................79 7.1 Description of CAST...........................................................................................79 7.2 Analysis of ground handling with CAST .............................................................86 6 7.3 Application of CAST Ground Handling to Airbus A320......................................88 8 Expert interviews ..............................................................................................92 8.1 Reasoning ...........................................................................................................92 8.2 Set up..................................................................................................................92 8.3 Results of Prof. Dr.-Ing. G. Konieczny interview ................................................93 9 Innovative conventional aircraft configurations..............................................95 9.1 Conventional configuration .................................................................................95