Etihad Airways has started its test flights for Boeing's ecoDemonstrator programme, a scheme which aims to create a more sustainable way of flying.
In partnership with the US aircraft manufacturer and Nasa, the UAE's national airline is trialling technology that could help reduce aircraft noise and cut emissions in the future.
Etihad's new 787-10 Dreamliner is due to be delivered to Abu Dhabi by the end of September, but before that happens, the jet has some important work to do.
As the first Dreamliner to partake in Boeing's ecoDemonstrator programme, the 787 will make a series of test flights to gather information on several technologies. Results will be shared with aviation industry leaders as a means to help improve airspace efficiency, reduce fuel use, lower noise for the community and cut flight emissions.
More than 1,000 microphones on board
The Dreamliner has been fitted with 1,200 microphones, which will be used to gather data about acoustics, something that Nasa has a keen interest in.
“At Nasa, we’ve been researching the individual aircraft noise sources, their interactions with the airframe and how they combine to the total aircraft noise,” said Nasa's technical lead, Dr Russell Thomas.
“This unique, carefully designed flight test provides the environment where all these effects are measured, which will be key to advancing our ability to design lower-noise aircraft.”
Coronavirus-related testing
As part of Boeing’s Confident Travel Initiative to address Covid-19, the jet will also be used to test the effectiveness of airline policies on disinfection in relation to the coronavirus.
A hand-held ultraviolet light that Boeing has invented will be tested during the Dreamliner's ecoDemonstrator flights. Results will help determine whether the wand should be added to cabin cleaning tools currently in use to disinfect and sanitise cabins and flight decks.
Etihad previously carried out in-service trials on some of its Boeing and Airbus aircrafts to provide initial feedback on the second generation prototype of the wand.
Flying for a sustainable future
The testing programme is set to last about 10 days and all of the flights are being flown on a blend of 50 per cent sustainable fuel.
“Sustainability remains a priority for Etihad in spite of the current Covid-19 crisis and this is just one initiative we’ve taken since the start of the pandemic to continue our drive for sustainable aviation," explained Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Aviation Group's chief operating officer.
"As far as Etihad is concerned, environmental sustainability shouldn’t be an option or fair-weather project to be shelved when it’s not convenient against other challenges.”
Etihad will release more information and updates on the test flights over the coming 10 days as it aims to test technologies to help find real-world solutions that can make flying safer and more sustainable.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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if you go
The five pillars of Islam
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The specs
Engine: 8.0-litre, quad-turbo 16-cylinder
Transmission: 7-speed auto
0-100kmh 2.3 seconds
0-200kmh 5.5 seconds
0-300kmh 11.6 seconds
Power: 1500hp
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
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The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now
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Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
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The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
