Reducing the fuel consumption of light aircraft

Given that significant increases have been made in the gravimetric specific power of permanent magnet synchronous machines, we reassess the effect that parallel, series and power/split hybrid topologies have on reducing the fuel consumption of light aircraft. Given the difficulties in preventing the weight of a hybrid-powered aircraft from exceeding the weight of the retrofitted conventionally powered aircraft, an analysis is conducted to assess the effects of weight increase over powertrain efficiency increase on fuel consumption. Finally, we examine two new combustion technologies to assess their potential for reducing fuel consumption and their practicality for light aircraft.