Bee-Plane TRL 0

First draft of Bee-Plane project. Starting in october 2011 by Xavier Dutertre, in Normandy

Bee-Plane TRL 1 : Project lead to TRL1 studies made by four engineering universities in France.

TRL0 Definition

First definition was a medium range aircraft with detachable fuselage. Size was Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
180 PAX or fret

Studies are rapidly linked with the Fairchild XC-120 Pack Plane, made during 1950s.

First pictures

Bee-Plane at TRL 0: The Pioneering Phase of Transformative Aviation

In October 2011, the groundbreaking aviation project known as Bee-Plane took its nascent steps in Normandy, led by Xavier Dutertre. The project aimed to introduce a paradigm shift in the aviation industry, leveraging disruptive technologies to rethink how commercial airplanes are designed, utilized, and operated. This long article delves into the pioneering phase of the project—Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 0—where the initial concept took shape.

The Original Vision: Detachable Fuselage At TRL 0, Bee-Plane was envisioned as a medium-range aircraft with an innovative feature—a detachable fuselage. With a size akin to popular commercial airplanes like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, Bee-Plane proposed accommodating 180 passengers or carrying freight. This modular design was intended to bring unprecedented flexibility to air transportation, allowing for rapid turnaround and customizable plane configurations.

Connection to Historical Designs: Fairchild XC-120 Pack Plane Early studies quickly drew parallels with the Fairchild XC-120 Pack Plane developed in the 1950s. The XC-120 was a pioneering aircraft featuring a detachable cargo pod, an idea that was way ahead of its time. The connection to this historic model provided invaluable insights into the challenges and potential solutions for detachable fuselage systems.

Technological Objectives at TRL 0 Modular Architecture: Investigate the feasibility of a modular architecture that would allow easy detachment and reattachment of the fuselage.

Operational Efficiency: Explore potential gains in operational efficiencies, such as reducing turnaround times and improving load factors.

Multi-purpose Utility: Assess the versatility offered by a detachable fuselage, such as converting a passenger plane to a cargo freighter or emergency medical unit rapidly.

Collaborative Research: Establish academic partnerships for comprehensive studies. At TRL 1, four engineering universities in France took up these studies, laying the foundation for research and development.

Initial Funding and Partnerships: Evaluate potential for public and private funding, as well as industrial partnerships.

Challenges and Considerations Aerodynamic Efficiency: Ensuring that the detachable fuselage does not compromise aerodynamic performance.

Structural Integrity: The structural challenges of a design that allows detachment and reattachment without compromising safety.

Regulatory Hurdles: Anticipating the regulatory requirements for an aircraft with detachable components.

Technological Innovations: Considering how emerging technologies, such as advanced materials and digital twin simulations, could be incorporated.

Market Acceptance: Gauging the market's willingness to adopt such a radically different form of air travel.

The Journey Forward Though Bee-Plane has evolved and progressed to higher TRLs since its inception, its initial phase was crucial for setting the stage for subsequent advancements. From tackling intricate engineering problems to initiating dialogue with potential partners and regulatory bodies, TRL 0 acted as the think-tank stage where the ambitious vision was put down on paper.

Conclusion The TRL 0 phase of Bee-Plane was a watershed moment in reimagining the future of aviation. It set the blueprint for a collaborative, innovative, and disruptive approach that could dramatically alter the landscape of air travel. By revisiting the project’s earliest days, we appreciate the scope and scale of the ambition, and the technological and organizational prowess required to bring such a vision to fruition. It stands as a compelling case study for aspiring aerospace projects, offering a glimpse of the innovation that could define the future of aviation.