Expert: Mark Janus Date: 2/27/2008 Subject: Eco air travel
Question Hi there Mark,
I am a trend analyst in London and i am researching into how the future of gadgets and technology will adapt to our Eco lifestyle.
Due to your expertise in Aerospace and Aviation i wondered if you had any thoughts on how Airplanes could possibly adapt to become Eco or if you know of any developments at present regarding this.
I hope you can help me and any ideas you have will be invaluable.
Kindest regards
Rebecca Hall
Answer Hi Rebecca,
Due to their very nature, aircraft have been on a steady course of increased efficiency (longer range) and lighter weight to accomplish the same task and hence are highly evolved machines designed for a complex task. In general, current design practices seek to eek out small improvements in performance. This is largely due to the fact that a seemly miniscule improvement (in the publics eyes), for example, a low single percentage gain in efficiency, is seen as a huge incentive to an airline (because it translates to $$$$).
It is my understanding that the aircraft industry pales in comparison to other sources of carbon production. In general, little emphasis has been given to government regulation (regarding efficiency) relative to aircraft. I would guess that the largest single source is either ground transportation or power generation with the other coming a close second.
Revolutionary change may come by way of government supported (driven) research toward aeronautics but it likely will be serendipitous because the high performance (speed, agility, and load capability) usually come at a cost (to efficiency). Obviusly mine is a generality, that's not to say a large C17 cargo plane isn't more efficient than 1000's of Cessna 172 flights for hauling cargo. I'm kind of an optimist in this regard, I believe there may be revolutionary discoveries in propulsion or drag reduction coming down the pike that will be largely due to our increased ability to manipulate nature on an increasely minute scale. Research is underway toward controling plasma flows (electrically charged fluids) and I believe it is this area that will bear fruit regarding (the efficiency of) air travel.
Sorry I'm not able to cite specific high risk projects or developments right now. I've given you my "to the best of my knowledge with a touch of my vision" answer on this....
