The Flying V

In this work an idea for a commercial passenger aircraft was derived. Preliminary estimations indicate potential benefits of the new concept called the “Flying V” over the A350-900 reference aircraft: 10% higher L/D, 2% lower mass, a compact and simple configuration (no high-lift devices, no fairings, straight lines), and low noise (shielding of the engines from the ground).
A streamwise cut through the cylindrical and oblique pressurized section of the Flying V is elliptical and fits efficiently into airfoils. This leads to both structural and aerodynamic efficiency. A patent application for the concept was filed by Airbus [1]. 
Remarkable is also the elliptical lift distribution of the stable design using only a moderate wing twist and no reflexed camber lines. A radio controlled model of the Flying V was built to demonstrate these aerodynamic characteristics and support estimations and simulations which were made in this work.
The first flight of the glider version of the demonstrator model took place in Berlin, Germany on February 28, 2014:
Website Justus Benad Aerospace The Flying V First glider flight of Flying V demonstrator.jpg
The first flight of the powered version of the demonstrator model was in Hamburg, Germany on April 13, 2014:
Website Justus Benad Aerospace The Flying V First powered flight of Flying V demonstrator.jpg
Presentation and flight videos:
For a full length video presentation with more details on the Flying V design including flight videos of the first demonstrator see this news post from February 4, 2015.
The video highlights can be watched in this video:
Events related to the Flying V project:
Recognition of the Flying V project:
Early publications
February 2015
March 2015
September 2015
Current and future work:
The Flying V is currently being researched further at universities and in the aerospace industry.
Other mentions of the Flying V project:
More information:
If you have questions about the project or other enquiries just contact me via e-mail.
[1] - J. Benad, “Luftfahrzeug”. DE102014201040A1, Applicant: Airbus Operations GmbH, 2015.