Wing size matters? Second Version. Comparasion Between Airbus a380 and B748i
Now, we have a good comparison between the super jumbos in order to make analysis the performances and contributions of the new generation wings to the fuel efficiency!
Before beginning the analysis, we must accept that each of the aircrafts has a different consumption results depending on the speed at which it is most fuel efficient since having a faster speed than most efficient/optimum speed would increase the fuel consumption per seat per km. Please see the table below.
We assume that fuel consumption amounts provided by these major aircraft producers provided/announced the most efficient consumption amounts. Another crucial factors that effects the fuel efficiency would be the aircraft weight. Boeing has introduced their new wing design on their generation aircrafts including newly designed 747-8i. Boeing claims that the new design contributes the increase of the performance of the aircraft which enables the reducing the fuel consumption.
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Catagory
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Boeing 747-8I
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Airbus a380
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Wingspan
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68,5m
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79,7m
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Fuel Efficiency
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2.8 lts per seat/ 100 km.
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2.9 lts per seat/100 km.
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Passangers
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460 (in 3 classes)
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520 (in 3 classes)
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Lenght
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250 ft (76,3m)
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238 ft (72,2m)
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2015 Orders
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6
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319
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Sources:
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747-8
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http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/01/0118_050118_airbus_2.html
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We assume that fuel consumption amounts provided by these major aircraft producers provided/announced the most efficient consumption amounts. Another crucial factors that effects the fuel efficiency would be the aircraft weight. Boeing has introduced their new wing design on their generation aircrafts including newly designed 747-8i. Boeing claims that the new design contributes the increase of the performance of the aircraft which enables the reducing the fuel consumption.
On the other hand, Boeing 747’s biggest competitor, Airbus A380 also has a new wing design that employs aluminium consisted of composite materials for the center wing which reduces the overall weight of the aircraft. Combining the newly discovered technologies for aircraft materials, systems and industrial processes, the a380 meets the client and environment requirements.
As we look at the figures in the above given table, Airbus a380 has almost 80m wingspan whereas Boeing 747-8i has 68,5m. This proves that Airbus forced the limits while designing Airbus a380 super jumbo. Let’s check if having extensive large wingspan has also forced the limit in terms of fuel efficiency:
The Boeing 748 has 2,8 liters fuel consumption per seat and per 100 km. On the other hand, Airbus a380 has 2,9 liters per seat and per km. First of all, the both company deserves a congratulations to have a consumption records less than 3 litres.
As mentioned above, when the size of the aircraft changes and the related equipment such as engines, fuel tanks, landings gears and etc. changes. From this perspective, even though Airbus has reached a capacity to carry more than 520 passengers at the same time and have a full double deck, we find out that the company still keeps the fuel efficiency at its most.
When going into details; Airbus 380 has 80m wingspan and we must admit that this increased the total aircraft weight significantly. Whereas Boeing 748 has less than 69m wingspan. Boeing 748 enjoys the lower wings and accordingly lighter aircraft and reaches 2.8 lts per seat/ 100 km.
To make the long story short; Airbus A380 seems more fuel efficient jumbo jet when compared to Boeing 747-8i. However, please note below chart above, Boeing 748 is shown just 1 step ahead of Airbus a380. The point here is, even though Airbus a380 has succeeded to carry more than 500 people on board at the same time, which causes to have larger and heavier equipment such as landing gears, fuselage, and fuel tanks etc., the company has successfully keep the fuel consumption very competitive.
Therefore, there is no wonder that very long and comprehensive researches and studies are successful. So myth is accepted that “size that matters on wings”. 2015 net orders probably shows that costumers are aware of the figures since Airbus a380 has 319 orders and Boeing 748 has 6 order.
Please note that, Boeing company have some other very successful aircrafts which is also a competitor of Boeing 748 such as Boeing 777. This model has been getting more and more successful and the company has been working on 777-8 and 777-9. Therefore, looking at the order scores would be misleading.
To end, special thanks to both super jumbo jets to have less than 3 liters fuel consumption per passenger per 100km which has a very significant contribution to economy and environment.
Photo sources: Boeing and Airbus company webpages.
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