Title: Life-cycle costing of an aircraft wing project with innovative materials using an eco-demonstrator

Authors: Darli Vieira; Alencar Bravo

Addresses: University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières, Research Chair in Management of Aeronautical Projects, 3351 boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, Québec, G9A 5H7, Canada ' University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières, Research Chair in Management of Aeronautical Projects, 3351 boul. des Forges, C.P. 500, Trois-Rivières, Québec, G9A 5H7, Canada

Abstract: Cost is an issue of primary importance in the decision process of complex industrial projects. However, very few studies have considered the ownership cost of an ecologically framed aircraft, especially for the wing design. This is an issue of primary importance because the use of unmanned aerial vehicles is growing very rapidly and these vehicles can become an environmental burden. A Life-Cycle Costing model for evaluating the cost of a real aircraft wing is presented. The eco-demonstrator aircraft enabled the use of different materials, including composite and ecological materials. A model was developed and proved to be very robust. The cost breakdown analysis revealed opportunities for making green materials a financially viable option for aeronautical structures in the future.

Keywords: aviation; design to cost; design for the environment; product life-cycle costing; sustainability; green materials; management; project design; unmanned aircraft vehicle; eco-demonstrator.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2016.083624

International Journal of Product Development, 2016 Vol.21 No.5/6, pp.394 - 413

Received: 10 Dec 2016
Accepted: 27 Feb 2017
Published online: 12 Apr 2017 *

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