turbulenceEvery flight passenger has probably experienced this, which suddenly causes the plane to sag or shake. Nobody felt the vibrations as pleasant. It is not uncommon for them to trigger anxiety in passengers. The Austrian start-up Turbulence Solutions works to greatly mitigate turbulence. More than 80 percentlike founder Andras Galffy says.
Already from the beginning of next year over 100 aircraft be equipped with the solution of the start-up. First of all, this should happen with so-called high-performance light aircraft. Two-seaters, which are mainly used for business trips and are also known as the “Ferraris of the air”, explains Galffy, who teaches at the JOANNEUM University of Applied Sciences in Graz and is also a pilot himself.
But how does the technology work?
sensors, which are mounted about half a meter in front of the wing, give an early warning of vibrations. If this happens, it calculates how strong the backlash must be. Small flaps integrated into the wings then deflect accordingly. To integrate the already patented technology, only the landing flaps need to be adjusted and additional small flaps added, says Galffy. Apart from that, nothing had to be changed on the wing.
The solution came from an invention by Galffy, which aimed to enable airplanes to maintain their altitude precisely. With “Improved Direct Lift Control” a faster lift could be generated. Such buoyancy is also key to balancing out turbulence, says Galffy. However, if the uplift occurs too late, it could happen that the turbulence is intensified. That’s why pressure sensors added, with which turbulence can be recognized in good time and counteracted.
Galfffy has already tested the solution with a manned single-seater. Together with a manufacturer Turbulence Cancelling now installed on a two-seat demonstrator aircraft. Before the technology is then to be used across the board from the beginning of next year, it will be tested with passengers in the summer.
From 2030 on scheduled flights
In principle, the solution could range from model airplanes to commercial airliners all aircraft types be used, says the founder. One of the reasons one starts with light aircraft is that they are much more exposed to turbulence. The certification effort is also much lower for two-seaters than for larger aircraft.
After that, 4- to 19-seaters will follow. First large aircraft could 2027 or 2028 be equipped with the anti-turbulence solution. The technology could then also be used on regular scheduled flights at the earliest in 2030, says Galffy.
Turbulence Solutions founder Andras Galffy (picture left) preparing for a test flight
© Turbulence Solutions
Resource-saving
The technology also has positive effects on the climate. Because turbulence is felt more in light, energy-efficient aircraft, business flights often use unnecessarily heavy aircraft that consume far more resources – so that the well-paying passengers* on board are not shaken up. On scheduled flights, airspaces prone to turbulence are also frequently bypassed, which also has a negative effect on fuel consumption.
This is currently busy 2018 founded and based in Vienna 8 employees. In addition to project funding from Research Promotion Agency FFG the start-up received seed funding from Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws). A business angel is already on board.
Also interesting for air taxis
Galffy doesn’t just want to equip traditional types of aircraft with its technology. It is also interesting for future vertical take-off air taxis. They are very light and therefore extremely susceptible to turbulence. Galffy says that if passengers are shaken up on the flights, it is not to be expected that they will recommend the air taxis. With manufacturers of such eVTOLs (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircrafts) he is already in talks.
This article was created as part of a cooperation between futurezone and Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws).
