A sensitivity analysis on the endurance equation for hybrid-electric aircraft

Abstract

The paper performs a sensitivity analysis on the proposed endurance equation [13] for a hybrid-electric aircraft model. The endurance is a key aircraft performance parameter which gives the time taken by an aircraft to fly from an airport A to airport B on a certain amount of fuel. In this research, a subsequent analysis is carried out on the case study of a regional turboprop ATR 72 aircraft [14]. This paper performs the sensitivity analysis based on the partial differentials and subsequently using the plots. The effects of parameters such as coefficient of lift and drag, payload and empty weight, energy consumption, efficiencies, battery energy density, degree of hybridization, etc. are observed on the aircraft endurance and the deductions were carried out. The analysis also shows the impact of the important parameters according to an aircraft designer’s perspective using the forecast for the year 2050 on the case study aircraft model.