Sensitivity Analysis of Power System Influence on B737-800 Fuel Costs

Lower aircraft fuel costs are an important consideration for airlines when choosing new aircraft, as well as for OEMs designing aircraft. Quantitative analysis of the relationship between technical parameters and fuel costs is crucial for designers. Based on Alaska Airlines Flight 1422 using the B737-800 airplane, this article conducts a sensitivity analysis of technical parameters in the power system. These parameters include the fixed weight of the power system, generator power generation efficiency, and total electrical load, all of which influence the fuel cost of an airplane. To simplify the quantitative analysis, the proportions of fuel costs during the cruising phase and block phase influenced by these parameters are analyzed separately. Parameter sensitivity analysis helps designers quickly and easily determine optimization targets during the design process to reduce the fuel cost of an airplane.