In the scope of this technical paper a novel approach in the implementation of a hybrid-electric propulsion system is investigated on a standard short range airplane, in which the thrust of the aircraft engines is effectively combined with an electric-driven wheel propulsion system while the aircraft operates on the ground. Besides improving the aircraft's overall efficiency on the ground, this hybrid-electric system enhances the field performance of the aircraft. The field performance e.g. covers ground-based aircraft performance like take-off and landing field-length, the accelerate-stop distance, and additionally airborne flight phases like the initial climb performance, dependent on the operation mass of the aircraft. An aircraft equipped with the described system will therefore feature a variety of operational advantages, including electric taxiing. Slightly a couple more than 100 years after the first successful powered flight the commercial aviation has become a pacesetter both of the globally cross-linked community and the international trade. Being aware of this key function as well as its responsibility for globalization, the aviation industry sector has committed to ACARE 2020 and Flightpath 2050 in order to dramatically decrease aircrafts' fuel consumption and emissions. These commitments however are in line with the particular and vital economic interests of the aviation sector, as profit margins has shown to be severely decreasing due to sustainable rising fuel prices. As a consequence motivation has been kept high to cut down fuel consumption and emissions of modern commercial aircraft thereby saving the sustainability of the aviation's business model as well as the environment. One potential key element in an efficient strategy towards reduced emissions and fuel consumption could be the application of hybrid electric propulsion systems. The latter have already proven to be both feasible and beneficial widely on hybrid-electric road vehicles on the one hand and sporadically in today's General Aviation segment on the other hand.
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