When will the Maverick take off?
Unlike many companies, Airbus presented the Maverick project to the world press with physical tests, not in a computer environment. In this way, the firm aired its small-scale prototype, providing great confidence in the stability of the project. It is expected that the flights of the prototype, which was tested in a secret location in France, will end in the second quarter of 2020, and the company will start working on the full-size aircraft in line with the data obtained.
The scale model of the greener Maverick is two meters long and 3,2 meters wide, with a total surface area of 2,25 square meters. Although there is no prototype for now, it can be expected that the next generation private jet types will be like this, taking the new generation design as an example. It is said that the Maverick, which has a different passenger carrying potential thanks to its design features compared to today’s single-aisle aircraft, has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent.
Why is the design different?
The fact that the Maverick is outside the standards in terms of design causes confusion in the first place. Although the idea of mounting an engine on double vertical stabilizers in particular has raised questions about safety, company officials state that it is a basic prototype for determining aerodynamic performance and rough capabilities. Since the prototype, the small-scale Maverick, is not the final design, it is expected to undergo design changes throughout the development process. The prototype is also expected to affect private aircraft designs in particular.
Are there any changes in the interior design?
Due to the significant differences in the design of the aircraft, Airbus Maverick also took a different approach to its interior design. The most striking change in the interior design is the increase in the number of corridors and the wider seating areas. The most interesting thing in the interior models designed is the smart seat technology that goes beyond being stationary. This smart seat technology is used in today’s private jets. Maverick looks like a modern day aircraft from science fiction movies, including enhanced lighting zones to increase comfort and cabin walls with artificial windows that can display flight information.
Airbus predicts that the Maverick-style renewal of the industry and the start of the full change will be in the 2030s. In other words, it seems that it will take 10 to 15 years for the new generation of Maverick-style aircraft to start flying. Although this may seem like a lot of time, it can even be called the near future for such technological breakthroughs.
So, is Maverick flawless?
Despite the fact that Maverick has a faster development process than expected, there are major problems to be solved in the face of the project, especially since the seating groups are not located in the center of the aircraft, passengers are subject to greater physical pressure during landing and take-off. Another problem is that due to the design structure that can be considered a delta wing, standard computer software needs to be redesigned and written accordingly.
Another problem that delta wings will bring is that the controls of the aircraft are more variable than today’s aircraft controls, and the pilots are likely to have difficulties in adapting to them. If Airbus can overcome the problems within the estimated period of 10 to 15 years, it seems that the history of the new generation of environmentalist aviation will officially begin. It is among the expected developments that the new generation aircraft will bring revolutionary changes in the use of private jets.
