Sustainability

Preventing contrails; Chinese eVTOL unveiled; certifying fuel cells; hybrid Panthera flies; and cleaning orbits magnetically.

The family of Energia-branded concepts—with all-electric, hybrid-electric or hydrogen-fueled propulsion for low emissions and noise—are aimed to enter into service between 2030 and 2040.

Wright believes that by 2026 both hydrogen and aluminum fuel cells can meet its requirement for around 10 megawatt hours of energy storage on the BAe 146 to enable 1-hr. flights on routes of 400 nm or shorter.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has launched an initiative to accelerate the commercialization of decarbonizing technologies by leveraging collective demand from companies prepared to commit to purchases by 2030.

The 40-min. flight was operated by an Airbus A320neo powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines from Madrid Barajas Airport to the northern city of Bilbao.

“You can get a significant share of passengers only if the train service leads directly into the airport and is considerably less than three hours traveling time,” he tells Aviation Daily in Vienna.

Takeaways about MRO trends in Europe from speakers at Aviation Week’s MRO Europe 2021.

Are MROs falling behind on aviation industry efforts toward sustainability?

Steps aviation aftermarket companies are taking to become more sustainable.

The 10-month trial covered a total of 209 aircraft trajectories during which crews were instructed to change altitude to avoid atmospheric conditions conductive to contrails.

The company is ground-testing a 2-megawatt electric motor and ultimately plans to develop a 180-seat zero-emission short-haul airliner.

Finnair is planning to resume two of the shortest routes in its network during the summer 2022 season—but also intends to add bus connections to lower the carbon footprint of the services.

The carrier wants to offer travelers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint by switching to a bus connection on the short domestic routes.

Scandinavian Airlines plans to partner with three fuel-sector companies to investigate large-scale production of synthetic sustainable aviation fuel in Sweden.

The EC and Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Catalyst have launched the EU-Catalyst partnership to accelerate commercial deployment of technologies to help Europe meet its commitment to reduce its net-carbon emissions 55% by 2030.

As some MROs add aircraft textile repair capabilities, OEMs are developing innovative new materials.

DG Fuels is moving ahead with plans to build a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant in Louisiana after receiving funds to meet its cash requirements up to the expected closing on financing for construction, expected by mid-2022.

ZeroAvia adds the Dash 8-400 turboprop and CRJ regional jets to planned applications of its hydrogen-electric powertrains.

As world leaders are gathered in Glasgow for the COP26 climate summit, it's time for route development to start embedding sustainability into every decision.

Interest in reusable rockets revived by SpaceX’s success.

Fly-by-wire taking off; More orbital cleanup plans; Zero-emissions island links; Wing drones go urban; Food giant eyes SAF.

Fuel supplier Q8Aviation has delivered initial supplies of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to London Gatwick Airport, with the initial flight to use it—an easyJet service on Oct. 27.

Issues extend to everyday business practices, such as using repairs instead of new parts.

Startup ZeroAvia has partnered with Mitsubishi’s CRJ support division, MHI RJ Aviation, to develop hydrogen-electric propulsion for regional jets, aiming for market availability in 2028.

New NASA green airliner study to go beyond agency’s sustainable X-plane to include technology for broader reduced environmental impacts.