http://tomwitkin.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/airline-industry-more-renewable-than-us-auto/ The intersection of renewable energy and collaboration Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:32:19 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://tomwitkin.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/airline-industry-more-renewable-than-us-auto/#comment-448 Tom Witkin Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:28:19 +0000 http://tomwitkin.wordpress.com/?p=43#comment-448 There were and are still lots of technical issues related to propfans / geared turbofans / open rotor designs that were not a function of fuel costs (which have always been a concern to carriers, regardless of the spot price of Jet-A). Good article also in the Nov 24 Aviation Week about issues facing the industry on this score. But, you're right: plenty of shortsightedness to go around. There were and are still lots of technical issues related to propfans / geared turbofans / open rotor designs that were not a function of fuel costs (which have always been a concern to carriers, regardless of the spot price of Jet-A). Good article also in the Nov 24 Aviation Week about issues facing the industry on this score. But, you’re right: plenty of shortsightedness to go around.

]]> http://tomwitkin.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/airline-industry-more-renewable-than-us-auto/#comment-447 Rob L Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:41:40 +0000 http://tomwitkin.wordpress.com/?p=43#comment-447 All well and good.. but still annoying knowing that in the 70's a new style of jet engine was researched, and built, that was anywhere from 15-30% (and working it's way up to 50%) more fuel efficient than the jet engines still in use today, but once fuel costs went back down, research was scrapped. (Photo here: http://robluhrs.smugmug.com/gallery/6045757_cEwmJ#378747076_dmzbg , Overly in depth article here: http://gltrs.grc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/GLTRS/browse.pl?1988/TM-101361.html ) But it really does show how short sighted the industry really is. All well and good.. but still annoying knowing that in the 70’s a new style of jet engine was researched, and built, that was anywhere from 15-30% (and working it’s way up to 50%) more fuel efficient than the jet engines still in use today, but once fuel costs went back down, research was scrapped. (Photo here: http://robluhrs.smugmug.com/gallery/6045757_cEwmJ#378747076_dmzbg , Overly in depth article here: http://gltrs.grc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/GLTRS/browse.pl?1988/TM-101361.html ) But it really does show how short sighted the industry really is.

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