.jpeg)
On January 10, Japan Airlines (JAL) announced that they will be the first in the world to introduce planes with a riblet-shaped coating on their international routes. The riblet-shaped coating reduces air resistance during flight and improves fuel efficiency. The introduction is scheduled for mid-January.
The rib-like coating, inspired by the fine grooves found in shark skin, minimizes surface friction by aligning with the airflow. By applying this treatment to an airplane, the surface becomes a fine groove structure, which reduces air resistance during flight.
This biomimicry reduces drag, allowing aircraft to burn less fuel. Studies by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, indicate that such coatings can reduce surface friction by about 5 percent, a significant figure for long-haul flights.
If successful, this could lead to broader implementation across JAL’s entire fleet, further cementing the airline’s role as a leader in sustainable aviation.
The Boeing 787-9, an wide body aircraft with riblet-shaped coating, reduces air resistance during flight by 0.24%. This is expected to reduce fuel consumption by about 119 tons per year and CO2 emissions by 381 tons.
The 381 tons of CO2 is equivalent to the amount of CO2 absorbed by about 27,000 cedar trees per year. The introduction of the system was carried out in cooperation with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) and O-Well (Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture), which is involved in painting and other businesses.
.jpeg)
This innovation is made possible by Orwell's Paint-to-Paint method. Unlike traditional methods using decals or films, this approach uses a water-soluble mold to create rib grooves directly on the painted surface. The result is a lightweight, durable coating that is less likely to flake off during flight, although it requires skilled labor for precise application.
As part of this pilot initiative, JAL applied the riblet coating to 30% of the fuselage of a Boeing 787-9. Initial estimates suggest that this could reduce drag by 0.24% in cruise, resulting in significant operational and environmental benefits.
JAL and the other three parties have been verifying the durability of the riblet-shaped paint film on airplanes used on JAL's domestic flights since July 2022. JAL’s adoption of the riblet coating follows extensive durability testing.
Similar riblet technology is already in usage in the aviation industry, with big players like Lufthansa group using a Shark skin riblet films on some of their fleet.
After Lufthansa Cargo's Boeing 777F freighters , Swiss International Air Lines also adopted the new AeroSHARK aircraft skin film to fuselage and nacelles , in a bid to further reduce the carbon dioxide emissions and the fuel consumption of its flight operations.
For the Japan Airlines, in the year 2022, the airline applied the coating to its Boeing 737-800 aircraft, ensuring the technology’s resilience in real-world conditions. This rigorous evaluation phase paved the way for its application on larger long-haul aircraft such as the 787-9.
From November 2023, they have been conducting experiments to see how much the fuel efficiency of aircraft with the paint film treatment can be improved.
O-Well has succeeded in developing a paint film application system that can be used on large equipment used on international flights, and the effect of reducing air resistance on international aircraft has been confirmed, which led to the introduction of the system.
While the benefits of riblet technology are clear, its implementation is not without its challenges. The precise application process requires skilled labor and meticulous quality control, which can increase initial costs. However, the long-term savings in fuel consumption and emissions make it a worthwhile investment.
Additionally, regulatory approval and industry-wide adoption will require collaborative efforts between airlines, manufacturers and aviation authorities. Standardizing these innovations could accelerate their integration into commercial aviation.
You may like to read.....
