Computational fluid dynamics change aircraft policy guidelines, increase airport capacity and deliver new capability to industry engineers
New methods in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) developed by Professor Barakos have delivered enhancements in understanding of aircraft / wind turbine and aircraft / aircraft wake interactions. These have impacted policy by defining safe separations of aircraft and wind turbines in addition to new guidelines that ensure safe aircraft separations at major airports for fixed and rotary wing aircraft (RECAT-EU). These guidelines have not only enhanced airport safety but also capacity. Aircraft separations for landing and take-off have been reduced at Europe’s largest airports, generating millions of pounds of additional revenue per year. The new CFD methods are now also embedded in the design and analysis of Leonardo’s current and future helicopters, providing unsurpassed capability and securing the future of their helicopter division.