Williams Advanced Engineering, JPA Design, British Airways and SWS Certification have set up a consortium, supported by Airbus and funding from the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), to develop new lightweight aircraft seat in the UK, to enhance passenger experience and reduce aircraft weight. This will lead to fuel saving and cutting carbon emissions.
The number of commercial aircraft is predicted to double in the next 20 years, with an equivalent rise in demand in the market for seats. Replacing existing technology with lighter products will prevent significant amounts of carbon emissions and save airlines millions of dollars annually. For example, replacing all business class seats with a lighter product on just 12 long-haul planes such as the Airbus A350 translates to saving 942,000 kilogram of carbon dioxide and $195,600 in fuel per year, based on a 4 kilogram weight saving per seat.Williams Advanced Engineering, JPA Design, British Airways and SWS Certification have set up a consortium, supported by Airbus and funding from the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), to develop new lightweight aircraft seat in the UK, to enhance passenger experience and reduce aircraft weight. This will lead to fuel saving and cutting carbon emissions.#
“Lightweight and safe components are crucial for success in motorsport and our team is excited to have the opportunity to translate these capabilities into saving airlines carbon emissions and costs,” said Craig Wilson, managing director of Williams Advanced Engineering. “Working with industry leaders as well as the ATI in this consortium offers significant benefits to aviation and the UK economy.”
The consortium aims to design and develop new lightweight aircraft seat structures for manufacture using innovative, rapid processes, incorporating background intellectual property (IP) from the consortium companies. The 18-month project will progress the seat design to programme entry level maturity and will seek engagement from existing aircraft interior manufacturers to enter production. For example, IP from Williams includes 'Racetrak’ (a method of integrating unidirectional fibres) and '223', (a method for creating 3D structures from a 2D composite preform) plus a patented modular monocoque design and patented cabin layouts from JPA Design with an adaptable 'tub' for aircraft seating that maximises occupant and luggage space.
The combination of manufacturing process, design approach and IP will reduce the bill of material (BOM) count, delivering lower cost, lightweight, reconfigurable seating structures for aircraft, incorporating recycled materials and using rapid Formula One-inspired product development that can lead to new UK manufacturing business growth in seat structures for supply to a range of global aircraft seat manufacturers and airframers.
“The UK has a strong existing industrial base for aircraft seat manufacture and an industrial strategy that highlights composites capability as a key area for development,” said James Park, founder and principal of JPA Design. “This aligns to the ATI's strategic outlook, creating products ready for the next-generation of aircraft. Our market-leading design and products such as the lightweight monocoque seating system, which allows for fewer parts, lower cost of manufacture, faster production time, lower maintenance and lower cost of ownership, as well as increased passenger space and comfort, will benefit significantly from the work of this consortium in turn providing enhanced opportunities for our airline customers.”
The ATI project is led by Williams Advanced Engineering who, together with core partner JPA Design, bring together an experienced consortium of specialist partners. British Airways and Airbus are involved to help pull the technology to market, specialist aircraft seat designers JPA Design will provide concept designs and an already proven monocoque design, currently flying with Singapore Airlines, while certification expert SWS Certification will guide towards regulatory approvals and finally Williams Advanced Engineering will help build the UK supply chain for composite structures. The project creates new UK technology and skilled UK jobs, benefitting organisations along the value chain including the UK's aircraft seat industry.
This project fits with the ATI's strategy for developing new lightweight architectures and new joining methods, maintaining existing jobs and creating commercial opportunities for the UK over the next decade as the aerospace sector grows. Beyond 2030, new aircraft will be expected to deliver substantial improvements in fuel efficiency at a viable cost to support continued growth and meet environmental targets and therefore the value of lightweight structures will only increase over time.
“Combining Formula One technology, world class design and a laser-like focus on safety across this consortium will deliver significant enhancements for airlines, passengers and the environment,” said Nigel Smith, managing director of SWS Certification. “We look forward to playing a crucial role in delivering these innovative, safe new products that seek to revolutionise aircraft interiors for global benefit.”
Aircraft manufacturers and airlines value lighter weight interiors delivering improved fuel economy saving operators money, increasing route range, or enabling them to pass on weight capacity as a customer offer, such as increased baggage allowance. Airlines are keen to adopt novel seating configurations to increase passenger density and passenger experience.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SV)
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