Date of Award

12-2011

Access Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Aeronautics

Department

Applied Aviation Sciences

Committee Chair

Guy M. Smith, Ed.D.

First Committee Member

Carlos A. Castro

Abstract

Improved fuel efficiency is one of aviation's top priorities, as it impacts the economy and the National Airspace System's environment. This descriptive study used data generated by the Total Airspace and Airport Modeler (TAAM) to show that the Boeing 737 Next Generation series aircraft would be more fuel-efficient than the McDonnell-Douglas DC-9-30 aircraft on various routes used by Delta Airlines out of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Databases, such as Aircraft Situation Display to Industry (ASDI) and Base of Aircraft Data (BADA), were used to simulate the baseline flight route information. Simulations were performed on Boeing 737NG (-700, -800, -900) and the DC-9-30 aircraft. Statistically significant improvements were found in the fuel burn for the Boeing 737 aircraft, with an estimated yearly savings of about $26 million dollars.

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