ecoDemonstrator 757

Boeing has commenced test flights of its ecoDemonstrator 757 to trial new technologies that could improve aircraft efficiency.

The company partnered with TUI Group and Nasa to conduct the ecoDemonstrator 757 tests.

As part of the tests, the company will evaluate technologies on the left wing such as Krueger shield to reduce environmental effects on natural laminar flow to improve aerodynamic efficiency.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes product development vice-president Mike Sinnett said: "The ecoDemonstrator 757 furthers our commitment to accelerate innovative technologies for current and future aircraft programmes.

"Nasa will test bug-phobic coatings on the right wing to reduce residue on the edges of aircraft wings."

"The Boeing ecoDemonstrator program is focused on putting new, more environmentally efficient technologies and airplanes in the hands of our customers sooner."

The company will test two other technologies on the ecoDemonstrator 757, as part of a contract with Nasa’s Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) project.

Nasa will test bug-phobic coatings on the right wing to reduce residue on the edges of aircraft wings, as well as active flow control on the vertical tail to improve airflow over the rudder and maximise its aerodynamic efficiency.

Additional tests with the ecoDemonstrator 757 will be conducted by Boeing later this year, following which the 757 will be recycled in collaboration with the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association and the lessor, Stifel’s aircraft finance division.

Since its inception in 2011, the ecoDemonstrator programme tested more than 40 technologies with a next-generation 737 and a 787 Dreamliner.

Image: The ecoDemonstrator 757 is testing new technologies that could improve aircraft efficiency. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.