Reducing the amount of fuel consumed by adjusting the location of the center of gravity

Abstract

Fuel is the largest contributor to the operating cost of airlines. It has always been a concern for researchers to come up with ways to reduce fuel consumption and make the aviation industry more environmentally friendly. The challenge here is to reduce the drag in order to reduce fuel consumption. This research work focuses on the impact of the center of gravity on the total drag of a B747-400 aircraft, with the aim of reducing the amount of fuel consumed and increasing its range. MATLAB code was used to assess the trim conditions at the different center of gravity locations, and the stability and control derivatives were evaluated from the results using Microsoft Excel. The study concludes that as the center of gravity moves aft within the permissible range, the total drag of the aircraft decreases. The optimal center of gravity location was found at 39.5 % of the Mean Aerodynamic Chord (MAC), corresponding to a maximum range of 13,930 km. This research work is important as it provides insight into the relationship between the center of gravity and total drag, and how it affects the fuel consumption and range of an aircraft. By understanding this relationship, engineers can design aircraft with more efficient fuel consumption, thus reducing the environmental impact of the aviation industry.