Condor Airline's entire fleet of Airbus aircraft, seven Airbus A321 and nine Airbus A320, is now equipped with Vortex generators. ...
Condor Airline's entire fleet of Airbus aircraft, seven Airbus A321 and nine Airbus A320, is now equipped with Vortex generators.
Vortex generators are aerodynamic devices that are attached to the wings to aid in reducing the Airbus-typical annoying whistling noise created during approach. The noise is generated by the wing tank vents on the bottom surface of the wings.
The upgrading process was started in November 2014. The company’s six new Airbus A321-211 aircraft already had this additional feature upon delivery.
The A320 has four circular openings on the underside of each wing to vent pressure in the under-wing fuel tanks. During final approach annoying wailing tones are caused by air flowing over the vents - like blowing across the mouth of a bottle.
Vortex generators create air turbulences (vortex) in front of the vent to prevent the noise. Thereby, the noise level for Offenbach, for example, during approach to Frankfurt airport, is reduced by more than 4 decibel. In addition, the high frequency of the whistling sounds is perceived as particularly unpleasant so that noticeable improvements in the perceived loudness are achieved, even in the low-decibel range.
The vortex generator is the result of research using microphone systems to record the noise generated by an Airbus wing. The device was developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Lufthansa, who have just taken delivery of the first Airbus A320 fitted with noise-reducing vortex generators.
Moreover, the new Airbus A321-211 aircraft delivered to Condor in the context of the fleet renewal program of the Thomas Cook Group, are equipped with sharklet wingtip devices, that reduce the consumption of fuel.
Condor is also actively involved in developing innovative, low-noise approach methods. One example is the so-called steep segmented approach in which the approaching aircraft remains at a greater altitude for a longer time to then use a steeper approach profile to the touch-down point.
UK based precision aerospace component manufacturer Supercraft has been contracted to manufacture vortex generators for Airbus A320 aircraft. Condor is a German airline that connect leisure designations and is part of the Thomas Cook Group.
