A Novel Design of a Hybrid Buoyant Aircraft- A Potential Greener Solution for Inter Connectivity of Malaysian Islands

For economic and green transportation, the concept of hybrid buoyant aircraft has recently become a research focus in the aerospace community. In this regard, a methodology is developed to aid the conceptual design of such... [ view full abstract ]

For economic and green transportation, the concept of hybrid buoyant aircraft has recently become a research focus in the aerospace community. In this regard, a methodology is developed to aid the conceptual design of such aircrafts in which aircraft and airship technology are merged. The methodology was evaluated for the sizing and aerodynamic contour design of a two-seater 1000 kg gross take-off mass hybrid buoyant aircraft. Based on the design requirement of Malaysian inter-island tourism and transportation of agricultural products, range is set to 450 km and ground roll for take-off about 150 m. A cambered profile hull was designed such that its fineness ratio, location of maximum width resembles with the contour of steller sea lion; a buoyant marine aircraft of nature. Weight estimation is done by using the empirical relationships of aircrafts and airships. The proposed design is beneficial to global society for reduction in CO2 emission from STOL aircrafts of similar weight category. This is due to the fact that 50% of gross takeoff weight is supported by “free of cost lift” available from buoyant gas and drag reduction due to streamlined hull. Moreover, the proposed design concept of use of Hybrid Buoyant Aircraft for the transportation of agricultural products especially for the transportation of pepper, an important cash crop for Malaysia can be implemented.