Runway-Star | A Novel Solution for Aircraft Washing and De-Icing

Summary
Runway Star RS-500 is a fully automated dual-use aircraft de-icing and washing facility designed to address two significant industry problems. First, de-icing of aircraft is a safety-critical yet costly process. It relies on skilled operators manually applying up to 5000 litres of de-icer, which is both wasteful and environmentally damaging.. RS-500 will reduce de-icing fluid use, eliminate wind-borne losses and improve airport efficiency by reducing washing and de-icing cycle times. It lowers costs, recovers up to 95% of excess fluid and provides full audit trails.

The second industry problem relates to the current inability of airline operators to cost-effectively clean aircraft. Currently, washing coincides with infrequent aircraft servicing. Dirty aircraft consume1-2% more fuel due to increased aerodynamic drag. RS-500 will integrate efficient, automated washing within its de-icing facility, allowing airlines to increase wash frequency, reducing fuel consumption.

With a payback of less than 18 months, RS-500 is an attractive investment for stakeholders and the system has generated overwhelming interest from airport owners, aircraft operators, and ground handlers. Scale model demonstrations and de-icing trials have been completed with excellent results. The system provides a new approach to washing and de-icing operations and MSG have recently applied for patent coverage in Europe, the US and Canada.

The project has already received significant offers of support, engineering expertise and components for the control system. Customers are waiting - a state airport operator has already indicated their interest in purchasing 4-8 systems, subject to successful demonstration activities. Horizon 2020 financial support is essential to enable MSG Production to demonstrate the system and exploit significant market opportunities.
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More information & hyperlinks
Web resources: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/756435
Start date: 01-03-2017
End date: 28-02-2019
Total budget - Public funding: 3 551 315,00 Euro - 2 485 920,00 Euro
Cordis data

Original description

Runway Star RS-500 is a fully automated dual-use aircraft de-icing and washing facility designed to address two significant industry problems. First, de-icing of aircraft is a safety-critical yet costly process. It relies on skilled operators manually applying up to 5000 litres of de-icer, which is both wasteful and environmentally damaging.. RS-500 will reduce de-icing fluid use, eliminate wind-borne losses and improve airport efficiency by reducing washing and de-icing cycle times. It lowers costs, recovers up to 95% of excess fluid and provides full audit trails.

The second industry problem relates to the current inability of airline operators to cost-effectively clean aircraft. Currently, washing coincides with infrequent aircraft servicing. Dirty aircraft consume1-2% more fuel due to increased aerodynamic drag. RS-500 will integrate efficient, automated washing within its de-icing facility, allowing airlines to increase wash frequency, reducing fuel consumption.

With a payback of less than 18 months, RS-500 is an attractive investment for stakeholders and the system has generated overwhelming interest from airport owners, aircraft operators, and ground handlers. Scale model demonstrations and de-icing trials have been completed with excellent results. The system provides a new approach to washing and de-icing operations and MSG have recently applied for patent coverage in Europe, the US and Canada.

The project has already received significant offers of support, engineering expertise and components for the control system. Customers are waiting - a state airport operator has already indicated their interest in purchasing 4-8 systems, subject to successful demonstration activities. Horizon 2020 financial support is essential to enable MSG Production to demonstrate the system and exploit significant market opportunities.

Status

CLOSED

Call topic

SMEInst-10-2016-2017

Update Date

27-10-2022
Geographical location(s)
Structured mapping
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EU-Programme-Call
Horizon 2020
H2020-EU.2. INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP
H2020-EU.2.1. INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies
H2020-EU.2.1.1. INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies - Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)
H2020-EU.2.1.1.0. INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - ICT - Cross-cutting calls
H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017
SMEInst-10-2016-2017 Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility
H2020-SMEINST-2-2016-2017
SMEInst-10-2016-2017 Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility
H2020-EU.2.3. INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
H2020-EU.2.3.1. Mainstreaming SME support, especially through a dedicated instrument
H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017
SMEInst-10-2016-2017 Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility
H2020-SMEINST-2-2016-2017
SMEInst-10-2016-2017 Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility
H2020-EU.3. SOCIETAL CHALLENGES
H2020-EU.3.4. SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport
H2020-EU.3.4.0. Cross-cutting call topics
H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017
SMEInst-10-2016-2017 Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility
H2020-SMEINST-2-2016-2017
SMEInst-10-2016-2017 Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility