“Flying-V” Dutch developed futuristic aircraft makes successful maiden flight
Dutch Researchers ‘“Flying-V” has completed a successful maiden flight of the futuristic and fuel efficient aircraft that could one day carry passengers in its wings.
The unique design of the Flying-V places the passenger cabin, the cargo hold and the fuel tanks in the wings, and experts hope that the plane’s aerodynamic shape will cut fuel consumption by 20% compared to today’s aircrafts.
The Flying-V is developed by researchers at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and partner Dutch airline KLM, to take the highly anticipated aircraft along its next developmental steps.
Experts worked hard to optimize the plane: in order to improve telemetry, the team was forced to change the aircraft’s center of gravity and adjust its antenna.
A team of researchers and engineers tested the aircraft at a guarded airbase in Germany, where they worked with an Airbus team to test takeoffs, maneuvers and approaches, and landing.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/flying-v-maiden-flight-intl-scli-grm/index.html