C-17 Crews 1st to Use New In-Flight Program to Save Fuel

Jul 11, 2011 ASDNews Source : US Air Force

Scott AFB, Ill. - This summer, C-17 crews will start saving more gas by using Mission Index Flying -- a new program that allows them to adjust their flight profile in real-time in order to maximize fuel efficiency while meeting mission objectives.

The mobility air force enterprise expects to see a 1.25 to 1.5 percent decrease in fuel usage across the C-17 fleet, said Lt. Col. Marc Gildner, Air Mobility Command Fuel Efficiency Office.

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"It doesn't seem like much. But because Mobility Air Forces use almost 60 percent of the total Air Force fuel inventory, that is a considerable dollar figure which can be used to recapitalize the aging fleet, support fuel efficiency initiatives and provide resources for incentives," Colonel Gildner said.

Mission index flying was approved June 15 for use on the C-17 fleet, with aircrew training expected to be complete by the end of the summer.

The C-5 fleet is next, with fielding expected in late July and aircrew training complete by early fall. The KC-10 and KC-135 systems are being prepared for AMC testing and will be fielded in the fall as well, Colonel Gildner said.

To use Mission Index Flying, air crews input various flight and atmospheric parameters on a mission laptop at different intervals during a mission, and the software provides them with speed and altitude recommendations for maximum aircraft performance and efficiency.

While Mission Index Flying is new for AMC, it isn't a new concept. Cost Index Flying (the commercial equivalent of Mission Index Flying) has helped airlines manage bottom lines for over a quarter of a century.

"The airlines have realized increased fuel efficiencies because they have been using this concept for almost three decades," Colonel Gildner said. "We're trying to capitalize and leverage their technologies and capabilities to our benefit."

AMC has a unique mission that is different from airlines in many ways. But in a world where fuel price, availability and consumption can affect national security, AMC must find a way to leverage the experience and success of the commercial industry. Mission Index Flying is one area that is easily transferable.

For example, there are similarities in the way AMC and airlines use "city pairs," Colonel Gildner said. For example, just like a civilian carrier might routinely fly from New York to London, the C-5 Galaxy flies from Dover Air Force Base, Del., to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey on a regular basis.

"It's the same thing," Colonel Gildner said. "We're focusing on repeated patterns and capitalizing on those patterns to apply the technology that the commercial industry has operated for decades. Incorporating those technologies into our aircraft in order to glean those efficiencies is critical, because we use so much of the Department of Defense's fuel and energy.

"Efficiency is a global concern, not just a military necessity," he said.

This works to AMC's advantage. When the Mission Index Flying software computes the best speed and altitude to fly to save fuel, Mobility Airmen then need to obtain permission from the resident air space authorities to change their speed and/or altitude in order to take advantage of those recommendations.

Fortunately, the international aviation administration community is "evolving to the point of what's called 'free flight,' where they are working to...get those optional altitudes and airspeeds made more available," Colonel Gildner said.

In the future, Mobility Air Forces could use Mission Index Flying to refine results for other efficiencies as well.

Cost Index Flying is used operationally by the commercial airline industry to balance operational costs to fuel costs, Colonel Gildner said. Operational costs include maintenance, labor, over-flight fees, etc. These operational costs are examined to determine their impact on overall flight costs per hour and then balanced with fuel costs to provide the big picture, said Lt. Col Eric Lepchenske, AMC Fuel Efficiency Office.

"As AMC gains experience with the Mission Index system, we will be better able to adjust the strategic objective of each mission with regard to operational and fuel costs to meet the needs of the Air Force and DOD regarding aviation fuel efficiency," Colonel Lepchenske said.

But for now, the command's policy makers will continue to focus on maximizing fuel use.

Although the efficiencies movement is DOD-directed, it isn't possible without the hard work and focused effort of AMC's outstanding maintainers, aerial porters and air crew.

"Without their input, we do not necessarily have a clear picture of what's going on out there. I have a lot of respect and admiration for each one of them, because they are the people that make the mission happen," Colonel Gildner said.

"When it comes to loading an aircraft properly, planning, configuration, cleaning engines ... it's a team effort to make all this work. Without the hardworking people in the field, we're not going to get the efficiencies we need," he said.