Due to ever stricter regulations on noise production it has become more difficult for airports to expand. By adding a ground-based propulsion system airplanes can accelerate to higher lift-off speeds and climb faster. Such a system is presented in this paper and the associated take-off performance characteristics are analyzed. Since 80% percent of all take-offs from Schiphol airport are performed by airplanes weighing less than 90 metric tons, the take-off system was sized for this airplanes falling in this catergory. The system consists of a cart, which is magnetically propelled by a linear motor. The cart has been designed to produce a propulsion force of 227kN. This force is transferred to the airplane via a launch bar of 4.5m which connects to the keel beam of the airplane, ahead of the most forward position of the center of gravity. Automatic positioning of the launch bar is ensured by two hydraulic actuators and the motion of the cart. To assess the potential impact of the ground-based take-off system six different take-off scenarios were investigated, three of which included an increased lift-off speed of 100m/s. Results show that depending on the take-off scenario a 20% reduction in awakenings is possible for a single departure from Schiphol airport. Furthermore, alternative take-off scenarios show a 60% reduction in fuel burn or a 20% decrease in required take-off field length. These figures illustrate the potential benefit of a magnetic-assisted take-off system.
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