200 microphones on board: Etihad's 787 Dreamliner takes to the air to test quieter flights – in pictures


Evelyn Lau
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It was announced last week that Etihad Airways had started its test flights for Boeing's ecoDemonstrator programme, a project that aims to create a more sustainable way of flying.

The scheme, in partnership with the US aircraft manufacturer and Nasa, meant that the UAE's national airline would be trialling technology that could help reduce aircraft noise and cut emissions in the future.

The latest findings have shown that the flights have been progressing well in Montana, US. Etihad's new 787-10 Dreamliner is the first Dreamliner to take part in Boeing's ecoDemonstrator programme, and has been fitted with more than 200 microphones on the outside of the aircraft and 1,000 microphones on the ground to measure sound levels.

Scroll through the gallery above to see more exclusive images from the ecoDemonstrator test flights.

The 1,200 microphone array is one of the largest and most complex ever designed and the current programme is the most comprehensive noise testing ever conducted on a commercial airliner.

All scheduled ecoDemonstrator test flights have been powered by a blend of up to 50 per cent sustainable aviation fuel and regular jet fuel. This will allow Etihad to continue to evaluate and learn more about the performance of sustainable aviation fuels.

The 787 will make a series of test flights to gather information on several technologies. Results will be shared with aviation industry leaders to help improve airspace efficiency, reduce fuel use, lower noise for the community and cut flight emissions.

The Etihad 787 ecoDemonstrator will return to Seattle by the end of the week, ahead of its final test flight to Charleston next week.

Etihad's new 787-10 Dreamliner is due to be delivered to Abu Dhabi by the end of September.

NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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Violence%20
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What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?

The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.

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