Range and Fuel Consumption

 

The Challenge:

Your team has been asked to complete a cost analysis for a start-up airline.  The airline is prepared to purchase 3 planes from either Boeing or Airbus and wants your input.  They also need come calculations regarding the amount of fuel and which service routes are most efficient.  The airline is based in Seattle and wants to provide service to: New York City; Dallas, Texas; and Tampa, Florida with at least 2 other cities (as stopovers) in the continental US.

 

 

The Tools:

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/737family/technical.html

http://membres.lycos.fr/airbus/SPECIFICATIONS%20a321.htm

http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1036439&t=Business&c=31,1036439

 

 

The Tricks of the Trade:

Here are a couple of equations that will come in handy.

Distance = Time x speed

Total Fuel/Total Time = Fuel consumed per Hour

 

Hint: Using the map, its key, and a ruler is a great way to determine distances for each flight.

 

 

Directions:

Lucky you!  This is an open-ended, problem-solving lab.  There are no specific instructions.  Using the listed resources and your very capable brains, see if you can answer the following questions and make some solid recommendations to your client.  Remember, you need to give the airline a reason why you suggest what you do.  The only wrong answer is one that fails to supply a good reason to support it, that includes showing your work on calculations.

 

Questions:

  1. Compare the Boeing 737 and Airbus A321 specs.  Both are widely regarded as excellent aircraft and the airline is unsure of which to select.  Please make a recommendation with at least two reasons to support your choice.

 

  1. The airline has stated that, using Seattle as its base, it wants to provide service to New York City; Dallas, Texas; and Tampa, Florida with at least 2 other cities (as stopovers) in the continental US.  Please select the additional cities.  Why do you recommend these cities?  Are they tourist destinations?  Densely populated areas?  Underserved areas?  Strategically placed?  Centers for commerce?  Be convincing.

 

  1. Using the cities from #2, determine the flight routes. Since the airline plans to purchase three planes to begin, you are limited to a maximum of three routes.  Find the distance of each route.

 

  1. Using the specs of the aircraft you have chosen, is it possible to complete each route on one tank of jet fuel?  If not, state where you intend to refuel.  Explain to the airline what you see as the benefits to the routes and fueling plans you have proposed.

 

  1. Calculate the flight time for each route, including an additional hour for all stopovers and an extra 30 min for refueling on a stopover.  Would it be feasible to fly more than once on a route in a 24hr day?  (Keep in mind that 2hrs must be allotted between flights for maintenance and flight crew breaks.)  Suggest a number of flights on each route for the airline, giving reasons why.  (In other words, it doesn't need to be the maximum number, if that seems unnecessary.  You don't want them to lose money!)

 

  1. Based on your planned routes and number of flights recommended per day, how much fuel will the airline use daily?  How much will it cost the airline based on current jet fuel costs?

 

  1. If we assume that each plane is flying at 90% capacity, what is the cost per passenger based on fuel?

 

 

 

Extension:

24 August 2001; Air Transat A330-200; near the Azores Islands, Portugal:

The aircraft was cruising at 860 km/hr across the Atlantic at 39,000 feet (11,900 meters) on a flight from Toronto to Lisbon when the right engine lost power. The left engine quit about 13 minutes later. Both engines lost power as a result of fuel starvation. There had been a leak in the fuel system near the right engine, and an open crossfeed valve allowed fuel to be lost from both wing tanks. The leak had been noticed by the crew about an hour prior to the engines shutting down, and the aircraft was already diverting toward Lajes military airfield in the Azores. After the last engine lost power, the crew tried to glide toward Lajes airfield, 115 miles (185 km) away, and avert a mid-ocean ditching.

 

Did they make it? Use the equations below to find out!  Show your work and provide a brief written explanation.

 

 

Vertical drop:                                                  Horizontal Distance:

Y = 1/2 g t2                                                                                 x = vx t

 

For a rock, g = 32 ft/sec2

For a glider, g = .10 ft/sec2