Modified C-17 taxi procedures: a fuel cost savings exploration
Purpose – This study aims to explore the viability of using C-17 reduced-engine taxi procedures from a cost savings and capability perspective. Design/methodology/approach – This study model expected engine fuel flow based on the number of operational engines, aircraft gross weight (GW) and average...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Emerald Publishing
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Defense Analytics and Logistics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JDAL-05-2019-0009/full/pdf?title=modified-c-17-taxi-procedures-a-fuel-cost-savings-exploration |
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| author | Michael Wells Michael Kretser Ben Hazen Jeffery Weir |
| author_facet | Michael Wells Michael Kretser Ben Hazen Jeffery Weir |
| author_sort | Michael Wells |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose – This study aims to explore the viability of using C-17 reduced-engine taxi procedures from a cost savings and capability perspective. Design/methodology/approach – This study model expected engine fuel flow based on the number of operational engines, aircraft gross weight (GW) and average aircraft groundspeed. Using this model, the research executes a cost savings simulation estimating the expected annual savings produced by the proposed taxi methodology. Operational and safety risks are also considered. Findings – The results indicate that significant fuel and costs savings are available via the employment of reduced-engine taxi procedures. On an annual basis, the mobility air force has the capacity to save approximately 1.18 million gallons of jet fuel per year ($2.66m in annual fuel costs at current rates) without significant risk to operations. The two-engine taxi methodology has the ability to generate capable taxi thrust for a maximum GW C-17 with nearly zero risks. Research limitations/implications – This research was limited to C-17 procedures and efficiency improvements specifically, although it suggests that other military aircraft could benefit from these findings as is evident in the commercial airline industry. Practical implications – This research recommends coordination with the original equipment manufacturer to rework checklists and flight manuals, development of a fleet-wide training program and evaluation of future aircraft recapitalization requirements intended to exploit and maximize aircraft surface operation savings. Originality/value – If implemented, the proposed changes would benefit the society as government resources could be spent elsewhere and the impact on the environment would be reduced. This research conducted a rigorous analysis of the suitability of implementing a civilian airline’s best practice into US Air Force operations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T11:28:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-41ed20a8a1794c489fc73ab4c90549b7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2399-6439 2399-6447 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T11:28:00Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | Emerald Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Defense Analytics and Logistics |
| spelling | doaj.art-41ed20a8a1794c489fc73ab4c90549b72022-12-22T04:26:14ZengEmerald PublishingJournal of Defense Analytics and Logistics2399-64392399-64472020-07-014212914510.1108/JDAL-05-2019-0009648215Modified C-17 taxi procedures: a fuel cost savings explorationMichael Wells0Michael Kretser1Ben Hazen2Jeffery Weir3Department of Operational Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, USACalhoun Discovery Program, Honors College, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, USADepartment of Logistikum, Faculty of Management, University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, Steyr, AustriaDepartment of Operational Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, USAPurpose – This study aims to explore the viability of using C-17 reduced-engine taxi procedures from a cost savings and capability perspective. Design/methodology/approach – This study model expected engine fuel flow based on the number of operational engines, aircraft gross weight (GW) and average aircraft groundspeed. Using this model, the research executes a cost savings simulation estimating the expected annual savings produced by the proposed taxi methodology. Operational and safety risks are also considered. Findings – The results indicate that significant fuel and costs savings are available via the employment of reduced-engine taxi procedures. On an annual basis, the mobility air force has the capacity to save approximately 1.18 million gallons of jet fuel per year ($2.66m in annual fuel costs at current rates) without significant risk to operations. The two-engine taxi methodology has the ability to generate capable taxi thrust for a maximum GW C-17 with nearly zero risks. Research limitations/implications – This research was limited to C-17 procedures and efficiency improvements specifically, although it suggests that other military aircraft could benefit from these findings as is evident in the commercial airline industry. Practical implications – This research recommends coordination with the original equipment manufacturer to rework checklists and flight manuals, development of a fleet-wide training program and evaluation of future aircraft recapitalization requirements intended to exploit and maximize aircraft surface operation savings. Originality/value – If implemented, the proposed changes would benefit the society as government resources could be spent elsewhere and the impact on the environment would be reduced. This research conducted a rigorous analysis of the suitability of implementing a civilian airline’s best practice into US Air Force operations.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JDAL-05-2019-0009/full/pdf?title=modified-c-17-taxi-procedures-a-fuel-cost-savings-explorationair transportationsimulationaircraft procedurescost savingsfuel savingsleast-squares regression |
| spellingShingle | Michael Wells Michael Kretser Ben Hazen Jeffery Weir Modified C-17 taxi procedures: a fuel cost savings exploration Journal of Defense Analytics and Logistics air transportation simulation aircraft procedures cost savings fuel savings least-squares regression |
| title | Modified C-17 taxi procedures: a fuel cost savings exploration |
| title_full | Modified C-17 taxi procedures: a fuel cost savings exploration |
| title_fullStr | Modified C-17 taxi procedures: a fuel cost savings exploration |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modified C-17 taxi procedures: a fuel cost savings exploration |
| title_short | Modified C-17 taxi procedures: a fuel cost savings exploration |
| title_sort | modified c 17 taxi procedures a fuel cost savings exploration |
| topic | air transportation simulation aircraft procedures cost savings fuel savings least-squares regression |
| url | https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JDAL-05-2019-0009/full/pdf?title=modified-c-17-taxi-procedures-a-fuel-cost-savings-exploration |
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