Large Civil Jet Transport (MTOM > 40t) - Statistical Mass Estimation

Abstract

The scope of the presented paper is to present a set of formulae, that can be used to compute the manufacturers mass empty (MME) respectively the operators mass empty (OME) of a large civil jet transport aircraft. In this paper, ‘large’ aircraft are aircraft having a maximum take of mass (MTOM) of more than 40t respectively having 70 or more passenger seats in a typical layout. The mass of the aircraft is split into the 10 main components of the aircraft (e.g. wing, fuselage…) and one formula is developed for each component (part B to K). The sum of the component masses results in the MME respectively OME of the aircraft (part L and M). The component masses, as well as the MME and OME are defined according to the Airbus Mass Standard Reference Guide (Issue 3). A brief description of the definition of each mass, as well as the main differences to the DIN 9020, which is normally used within LTH, is given for each component. Finally a sensitivity analyses is performed (part N), where the results between the preliminary aircraft design tools VAMPzero and PrADO are compared. In the DLR development VAMPzero the statistical formulae of this paper are implemented, while PrADO is developed during the last 15 years by the TU Braunschweig and is based on semi-physical models. The analyses might give the user a better understanding of the sensitivity behaviour, provided by the presented formula.