WO2009046503A1

WO2009046503A1 - Method and system to decrease the turnaround time of aircraft

Info

Publication number: WO2009046503A1
Application number: PCT/BE2007/000112
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bob Paul Hilaire Velleman
Original assignee: Bob Paul Hilaire Velleman
Priority date: 2007-10-09
Filing date: 2007-10-09
Publication date: 2009-04-16

Abstract

Method to decrease the turnaround time of aircraft, whereby if an airplane (7) is to carry passengers (10) or a combination of passengers (10) and cargo, the airplane (7) contains at least one passenger module (1) provided with seats (2) whereby, in order to board passengers (10) on the airplane (7), said passenger module (1) is moved from a queue position and put in the airplane (7) or in order to disembark passengers (10) said module (1) is taken out of said airplane (7), whereby the passenger module (1) has standing side walls (3) and that the insertion and/or extraction of said modules (1) occurs with the passengers (10) seated on said seats (2).

Description

Method and system to decrease the turnaround time of aircraft

The present invention concerns a method and a system to decrease the turnaround time of aircraft

In particular, the invention concerns a method that can be applied quickly and repeatedly. The method thereby converts at least part of the deck of an airplane from one configuration to the other. The method also concerns the conversion of several decks partly or completely if an airplane comprises them.

It is known that the turnaround time of aircraft is a crucial factor in commercial flight traffic. The need to minimize the turnaround time of airplanes and the costs associated with it is greater than ever for airline companies. In addition, the pressure on airline companies to improve on-time performance and the perception of reliability increases as the amount of flight traffic continues to grow and competition rises.

As an example of the figures associated with the importance of turnaround time and on-time performance in flight traffic, it is known that a survey of the ten largest UK airports from June to November 2005 show that the average delay for 380,234 departures was 17.4 minutes. The total cost of the delays in passenger flight traffic was consequently estimated at over £650m for 2005 for the UK alone. It is also clear that with the continuing growth in both freight and passenger flight traffic, the time slots available on airports come under increasing pressure and the terminal occupancy reaches saturation point.

Another disadvantage is that because of the time pressure on the turnaround time, passengers are often asked to board the aircraft within a short time span before the scheduled departing time. Hence, the boarding often becomes a hassle and a stressful and messy affair for both crew and passengers .

In addition, if a passenger fails to show up in time, the airplane will quickly loose its departure slot, which leads to a delay, a loss of profit for the airline company and annoyance with the passengers on board who fear arriving late at their destination.

The present invention seeks to overcome one or several of the above or other disadvantages.

To this end, the invention concerns a method to decrease the turnaround time of aircraft, whereby, if an airplane is to carry passengers or a combination of passengers and cargo, the airplane contains at least one passenger module provided with seats whereby, in order to board passengers on the airplane, said passenger module is moved from a queue position or terminal and put in the airplane or, in order to disembark passengers, said module is taken out of said airplane to be put in said queue position or terminal, whereby the passenger module has standing side walls and that the insertion and/or extraction of said modules preferably occurs with the passengers seated on said seats.

An advantage of using a method and system according to the invention to decrease the turnaround time of aircraft is that it reduces the time the aircraft needs to spend in airports, thus increasing the payload time for the airline companies and greater profits.

It is also advantageous for airport management companies in that a greater number of flights can be handled per day. Furthermore, the method and system according to the invention does not require the presence of terminal space. Since fully equipped passenger modules can be used, the passengers can be brought to a predetermined queue location where the modules are stationed and board these modules before the aircraft has either landed, or while it is taxiing from a hangar or runway to said location. Thus, airports can use remote parkings to free up terminal space or, alternatively, smaller terminals to handle a greater number of passengers .

Moreover, because said passenger modules can be standalone modules, the extraction of the modules from an arriving plane and the insertion of the modules from a departing plane can occur while the airplane takes fuel onboard. Therefore, the theoretical minimum achievable turnaround time can be as little as the time it takes to fuel the airplane.

Another advantage is that travelling by plane becomes more comfortable for the passengers in that they can be given more time to board said passenger modules, which in turn offers the ground personnel more time to check whether all passengers have boarded. It thus becomes less likely that planes, ready to take off, will lose their departure slot because a greater number of delays will be avoided. This in turn decreases the amount of fuel wasted and the amount of pollution.

The better observation of departure times will also result in more planes arriving at their destination on time with scheduled slots available.

Overall, the use of a method and system according to the invention results in a better control of the turnaround time since said passenger modules can be cleaned and refilled at said remote parkings, hence cleaning personnel no longer needs to board the aircraft on turnaround.

Another advantage is that a more flexible philosophy of flight travel can be adopted. For example, a couple of passenger modules can be leased by several different companies whereby the airplane then serves merely as a means of transportation for said modules filled with either freight or passengers. This is very akin to the philosophy behind the present container travel by sea whereby several agents rent container slots on a container ship. Of course, different companies can use their own modules with their own corporate identity.

In addition, modules tuned to different purposes can be transported according to necessity. As will be explained below, one may think of flights during the night whereby passenger modules can be used that are fitted with beds for the passengers. One may think of flight routes that are popular with business men whereby the plane will carry "lounge modules" offering luxury amenities or passenger modules where the space between seats is increased.

Another advantage is that different classes of passengers can board the plane separately. Presently, it is customary for business travellers to wait in the business lounge whereby they will be given the privilege to board the airplane prior to economy class passengers. Using a method according to the invention, different classes of passengers can install themselves in the seats on their respective specific from which they will be boarded automatically along with the modules .

Another benefit to the passengers on transit will arrive more quickly at their final destination because the shorter turnaround time will result in a shorter overall flight duration.

The invention also relates to a module which can be used with a method according to the invention in order to convert an airplane at least partly from one configuration to another.

With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, hereafter, as an example without any limitative character, a preferred method is described of a conversion method according to the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a passenger module for use with the method according to the invention; figures 2 and 3 are a front and side view of figure

1 according to II-II and III-III respectively; figures 4 and 5 are a front and schematic perspective view illustrating that the turnaround time according to the invention is minimised by extracting and inserting the modules; figure 6 illustrates the use of a passenger module by the preferred method; figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a series of passenger modules and a catering module; figure 8 is a reverse view of figure 7 but whereby the series are covered by a roof panel; figure 9 is an alternative embodiment of a passenger module for use at the emergency exits; figure 10 is an example of a closed cargo module; figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of the method whereby the modules are inserted longitudinally into the airplane instead of sideways.

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a passenger module 1 for use with the method according to the invention. The passenger module 1 contains a number of seats 2 and side walls 3 with windows 4. It is not excluded that the side walls 3 form a semi-circular arch, meeting each other halfway. Neither is it excluded, but not shown in figure 1, that an additional roof panel links the topside of both side walls 3 with each other.

Preferably, the side walls 3 follow the contours of the airplane hull in which they are to be placed so as to cover the inside of the hull, either partly or in combination with cover parts already in place inside the airplane hull .

In a preferred embodiment, but not essential, a luggage space 5 is provided for underneath the seats 2.

Additionally, but not shown in the figures, rollers or other means can be provided on the underside of the bottom of the passenger module 1.

Figures 2 and 3 show a front and side view of the passenger module 1. Figure 2 shows two rows of seats 2 with a gangway 6 in the middle. It is clear, however, that more or less seats 2 can be placed next to each other, or that several gangways 6 can be present, depending on the size and dimensions of the passenger module 1.

Figure 4 illustrates the method according to the invention whereby an airplane 7 fitted with passenger modules 1 by inserting them sideways in the airplane 6. The modules 1 are placed on a trolley 8 and the airplane 7 has a loading bay 9 which is sufficiently large so that the modules 1 can be inserted. Figure 5 illustrates that after sideways insertion of the passenger modules 1, said modules 1 can be conveyed longitudinally to their desired location, where they can be clamped or fixed to this location. The passenger modules 1 may also be provided with connecting parts, which are not shown in the figures and which link to outlets for the amenities already present in the airplane such as electricity and air-conditioning conduits.

Figure 6 shows that the method to convert an airplane 7 to a passenger configuration preferably occurs with passengers 10 seated in the passenger module 1.

Figure 7 shows that several passenger modules 1 can be placed sequentially in a longitudinal direction and can be complemented by a catering module 11.

This catering module 11 is used by the airplane crew to prepare meals and serve drinks, having all the necessary amenities thereto. In addition, sanitary equipment like washing closets can be provided on this catering module 11. The invention does not exclude the use of a separate "sanitary" module containing washing closets and associated amenities.

Figure 8 shows that a series of passenger modules 1 and a catering module 11 can be covered by a separate roof panel 12. As mentioned, the modules 1 or 11 can also be provided with individual roof panels or the side walls 3 can extend to partly form a roof by themselves. Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a passenger module 1 which can be used as an emergency module 13, allowing for easy access to emergency exits 14 within an airplane 7.

Figure 10 shows a closed cargo module 15 in order to allow an airplane 7 to take cargo onboard with the method according to the invention. The method, however, does not exclude using well-known pallets to transport cargo.

Figure 11 shows an airplane 7 of which the cockpit 16 can swivel sideways in order to allow modules 1, 11, 13 or 15 or well-known cargo pallets to be inserted longitudinally in the airplane cabin for use with a method according to the invention.

The method to minimize the turnaround time for aircraft, is simple and as follows.

When an airplane 7 has landed, any modules 1, 11, 13, or 15 is removed from the aircraft as required and any modules 1, 11, 13 or 15 which are ready to embark either at said terminal or queue location can be inserted in the airplane 7 while the airplane is being checked or re- fuelled in order minimize the turnaround time.

It is conceivable, for example in the case of a flight in transit, that some passenger modules 1 and or cargo modules 15 will remain in the airplane 7 but where only a restricted number of modules 1, 11, 13, 15 are taken onboard. The method is now explained for the case where an airplane 7 has been emptied completely of modules 1, 11, 13 and/or 15 and whereby the airplane 7 is prepared for a next flight.

The method according to the invention uses a passenger module 1 which, prior or after the landing of an airplane 7 can be cleaned and stored in a queue location, as shown in figures 1 to 3. Subsequently, the passengers 10 can board the passenger module 1 in this queue location or a specially designated terminal if said passenger module 1 is simply at this terminal. Thus, the time consuming bottleneck of passengers 10 boarding the airplane 7 is avoided in that they can directly board the passenger modules 1. In order to save even more time, the passengers 10 can even board the modules 1 before the airplane 7 has landed.

Also shown in the figures is a storage space 5 underneath the seats 2 for storing hand luggage. Such storage space is traditionally located above the passengers 10.

However, it can be convenient to provide a storage space

5 underneath each seat 2 wherein the passenger 10 can store his or her hand luggage. In a preferred embodiment, the storage space 5 can simply be closed in a traditional manner or the luggage can be kept in place with a seal or cloth of an elastic material. This seal can either be at the front of each seat 2 whereby the passenger 10 stores the luggage under his or her own seat 2, or at the back of each seat 2 whereby the passenger 10 stores the luggage under the seat 2 in front of him or her. The method according to the invention does not exclude the option that the passenger 10 stores not only hand luggage but all of his or her luggage in said storage space 5. This may be particularly useful to decrease the turnaround time for short-distance air travel where the refuelling time, and thus the theoretical minimum turnaround time, is short. If necessary, additional storage space can also be provided in the module for heavy luggage. This would eliminate the need of separating passengers 10 and heavy luggage, as is customary presently, but instead the passengers 10 can board the modules 1 directly with all their luggage.

Figure 4 shows that upon landing and consequent re- fuelling of an airplane 7, the passenger modules 1 are placed on a movable trolley 8 and transported from the aforementioned queue position or terminal to the airplane

7. The airplane 7 contains a lateral door or loading bay

9 through which the passenger modules 1 can be inserted. It is noted that this insertion preferably happens with the passengers 10 seated in the passenger modules 1.

Figure 5 shows more clearly how the passenger modules 1 are inserted laterally (whereby for reasons of clarity the aforementioned movable trolley 8 of figure 4 has been omitted) and then slid or rolled longitudinally onto the desired lengthwise location.

Figure 6 shows a reverse view of one of the passenger modules 1 of figure 5, clearly indicating that the passengers 10 are preferably seated with their backs to the cockpit 16 of the airplane 7. Figure 7 shows how several passenger modules 1 can be connected to each other and to a catering module 11. Whenever the passengers 10 have left or when the airplane is only taking cargo onboard these modules 1, 11 can be cleaned or prepared for the next flight.

Preferably, as shown in figure 8, the method makes use of covered inter-connected modules 1, 11 for the convenience of the passengers 10 when they have taken place in the passenger modules 1 but when these have not yet been inserted onto the airplane 7.

Figures 8 and 9 can make use of several embodiments of modules, such as the emergency module 13 and closed cargo module 15 shown respectively, and they can be used in combination for a desired passenger and/or cargo configuration.

Preferably, but depending on technical availability, the method converts an airplane 7 by inserting said modules 1, 11, 13, 15 longitudinally into the airplane 7 by swivelling its cockpit 16. This avoids the necessity of a large loading bay 9. Alternatively, the modules can also be inserted at the back of the airplane 7.

In the future, the method of converting an airplane 7 according to the invention, does not exclude that said modules are inserted from the top or bottom of the airplane 7 if future technological developments would allow. Said movement of the modules in the longitudinal direction can thereby be a matter of only millimeters to ensure optimal fixing and clamping. As an example, one may think of an airplane 6 with a tubular body of which the top can be opened over a substantial length. Several modules can then be lowered simultaneously into the airplane 7. Once lowered into the aircraft 7 they may be slightly adjusted in the longitudinal direction in order to be fixed and/or clamped in the desired position.

It should be mentioned that the figures only show a schematic view of a passenger module 1 in that a number of details are not shown. It should be clear that the usual amenities that are available in a airplane cabin for a passenger 10 can also be found in a passenger module 1 according to the invention. Such amenities include a safety jacket preferably underneath the passengers ' seats 2 , a tabletop at the back of said seats 2, seatbelts, a small television screen, extra storage space for hand luggage etcetera.

In its most basic embodiment, however, the passenger modules 1 are only equipped with seats. A roof panel 11 can be left out such that oxygen masks and safety jackets are provided in the roof of the airplane cabin.

The embodiments described above of the passenger modules 1, the closed cargo module 15 and the emergency module 13 are examples, but other types of modules may be used with the method according to the invention. Other possible modules include modules with lounge and bar facilities for exclusive travel or modules with sleeping facilities for specific night flights with passengers 10 or other modules . For the convenience of the passengers 10, electricity, air-conditioning, water, electronic signals etcetera may be provided to the passengers 10 by means of said connecting parts which link to the amenities and services already present in the airplane 7.

Neither is it excluded that several types of passenger modules 1 can be used by the method according to the invention to minimize the turnaround time of an aircraft. This may be useful to tune a flight to meet specific requirements. Before a nocturnal flight, for instance, modules may be used that are provided with beds for the passengers 10. It may also be useful to offer a flexible number of economy/business/first class passenger modules 1.

The method according to the invention does not restrict itself to the transportation of said modules by trolleys 8 or buses. It is envisaged that other systems may also be used, or that said modules can even be moved from and to the airplane cabin by traditional jetways.

In addition, said modules can be stored in the queue location in a variety of ways. Conventionally, they will be placed next to each other, but they could also be stored on top of each other. In the case of passenger modules 1, the passengers can then board said modules 1 on different levels. Similarly, said modules can be transported from the queue location to the airplane 6 in a variety of ways. For example, they could also be transported on top of each other with a multi-level trolley 8.

The means for fixing the modules in the airplane cabins are well-known and are deliberately not discussed more in detail. It is the objection, however, that a means of fixing is used which fixes all modules automatically once the airplane deck or cabin is completely filled with said modules . Such a means of fixing is preferably retractable in the bottom of the airplane cabin or deck.

An example is the use of conical pins to position the modules properly whereby the means to fix the modules consist of a system with simple bayonet joints.

The method according to the invention aims to convert an airplane 6 quickly and effectively whereby modules are used that meet all required safety standards.

In a preferred execution of the method according to the invention the passengers 10 are seated with their back to the flying direction.

The present invention is in no way limited to the exact method of minimizing turnaround time described by way of an example and represented in the figures, however, a method according to the invention, can be realized using various modules without leaving the scope of the invention.

Claims

1 .- Method to decrease the turnaround time of aircraft, characterised in that, if an airplane (7) is to carry- passengers (10) or a combination of passengers (10) and cargo, the airplane (7) contains at least one passenger module (1) provided with seats (2) whereby, in order to board passengers (10) on the airplane (7), said passenger module (1) is moved from a queue position or terminal and put in the airplane (7) or in order to disembark passengers (10) said module (1) is taken out of said airplane (7) to be put in said queue position or terminal, whereby the passenger module (1) has standing side walls (3) and that the insertion and/or extraction of said modules (1) preferably occurs with the passengers (10) seated on said seats (2) .

2 .- Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the airplane (7) is made up of several modules (1) in addition to said at least one module (1) which are fixed onto the airplane deck and whereby the extraction procedure is started by sequentially taking said modules (1) out of the airplane (7) .

3 .- Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that in addition to said at least one module (1) , emergency modules (13) provided with emergency exits (14) and/or catering modules (11) provided with amenities to prepare and store food for the passengers (10) are used in the passenger configuration.

4 .- Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that closed cargo modules (15) in which cargo can be stored are used to insert or extract cargo from said airplane (7) in a similar manner as said at least one passenger module (1) .

5 .- Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the modules (1, 11, 13, 15) are inserted longitudinally in the airplane (7).

6 .- Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the passengers (10) are seated with their back to the flying direction.

7 . - Module for use with the method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is a passenger module (1) provided with seats (2), side walls (3) and windows (4) .

8 .- Module according to claim 7, characterised in that the width corresponds to the inside breadth of the hull of the airplane (7) .

9 .- Module according to claims 7 or 8, characterised in that the side walls (3) cover the inside hull of the airplane (7) .

10.- Module according to any of the preceding claims 7 to 9 characterised in that they connect to the appliances and/or amenities present in the airplane (7) .

11.- Module according to any of the preceding claims 7 to 10, characterised in that said seats (2) contain a storage space underneath, which preferably is intended for storing the hand luggage of the passenger (10) in front of each said seat (2) if the passengers (10) are seated with their back to the flying direction.

12.- Module characterised in that it is interchangeable with a passenger module (1) according to any of the preceding claims 7 to 10, whereby this module contains beds, washing closets and/or catering facilities in order to serve as a lounge module, sanitary module and catering module (11) respectively or a combination thereof.

13.-Module according to any of the preceding claims 7 to 11, characterised in that said standing walls (3) are provided with emergency exits (14) to serve as an emergency module (13) .