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PureFlyt: a flight management system that optimises aircraft CO2 emissions
The PureFlyt Flight Management System solution to be deployed by Thales will make it possible to optimise an aircraft's flight path to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 and NOx emissions.
Main project's drivers for reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Energy and resource efficiency
Energy Decarbonisation
Energy efficiency improvements
Improving efficiency in non-energy resources
Emission removal
Financing low-carbon issuers or disinvestment from carbon assets
Reduction of other greenhouse gases emission
Improve aircraft flight path optimisation and reduce jet fuel consumption.
Improve aircraft flight path optimisation and reduce jet fuel consumption.
Detailed project description
The PureFlyt Flight Management System solution optimises the aircraft’s trajectory for each flight phase, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions of CO2 and NOx.
PureFlyt relies on bidirectional communications with open platforms to continuously calculate new trajectories based on the latest data, which is permanently updated to reflect changing weather patterns and air traffic control requirements. The aircraft’s flight path can be monitored, adapted and optimised at all times, making flights shorter and reducing fuel consumption.
PureFlyt improves situational awareness and provides effective decision support to air crews.
The system calculates the complete flight path, including all the different flight phases, with significantly greater precision than earlier fight management systems, and offers a range of advanced functions, including:
- Real-time flight plan convergence
- Selection of best descent profiles
- Optimised cruise profile
- Improved energy management
PureFlyt is designed for civil airliners, military aircraft and business jets.
Emission scope(s)
on which the project has a significant impact
Scope 1
Direct emissions generated by the company's activity.
Scope 2
Indirect emissions associated with the company's electricity and heat consumption.
Scope 3
Emissions induced (upstream or downstream) by the company's activities, products and/or services in its value chain.
Emission Removal
Carbon sinks creation, (BECCS, CCU/S, …)
Avoided Emissions
Emissions avoided by the activities, products and/or services in charge of the project, or by the financing of emission reduction projects.
Emissions évitées – Optimisation of aircraft fuel consumption
- Quantification : 650 tCO2eq per aircraft per year
The PureFlyt system will reduce fuel consumption by an estimated 3-4% compared to the previous generation of flight management systems, saving an average of 170 tonnes of fuel per aircraft per year (cf. Eurocontrol data).
Based on an emission factor of approximately 3.82 kgCO2/kg, this represents close to 650 tCO2eq per aircraft per year, all other things being equal.
Key points
Invested amount
Not disclosed
Starting date of the project
2014
Project localisation
Development by teams from Thales's aerospace business.
Project maturity level
Prototype laboratory test (TRL 7)
Real life testing (TRL 7-8)
Pre-commercial prototype (TRL 9)
Small-scale implementation
Medium to large scale implementation
Economic profitability of the project (ROI)
Short term (0-3 years)
Middle term (4-10 years)
Long term (> 10 years)
Illustrations of the project
PureFlyt reduces CO2 emissions during all flight phases and thus contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action).
It also cuts down noise pollution in the approach phase.
All eligible aircraft fleets.
Implementation of trajectory management concepts and methods being developed by SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) in Europe and NextGen in the United States.
PureFlyt is designed to meet the future requirements of Cleansky, SESAR and NextGen.
Contact the company carrying the project
Product Manager : pierre.bayle@fr.thalesgroup.com Thales: avionics@fr.thalesgroup.com
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