Aviation and the Environment

In this week’s topic, we are discussing the EU ETS, or European Union Emissions Trading Scheme.  We are all aware that airplanes pollute the environment, and each year there is more concern over global warming.  What is the EU ETS all about?  How does it work?  And how will it make an impact on aviation?

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme was launched in 2005 in efforts to combat climate change.  Currently, it covers more than 11,000 factories and power stations in 30 countries.  Each year, these factories and power stations must monitor and report their CO2 emissions because leftovers are returned to the government.  Emission credits are given to each installation over several years, called a trading period. If the emissions exceed what is permitted by its credits, the factory can purchase trading credits from other installations or countries.  If the factory has reduced its emissions, it can sell the leftover credits for money or “bank” them to cover future emissions.  This encourages companies to develop new technologies to reduce carbon emissions.  By 2020, the EU ETS foresees a 21% reduction in greenhouse gases.

Under EU ETS, all airlines would have to buy allowances when flying into European airports or through European airspace.  The United States and other countries are heavily opposed to this.   Reason being, the tax would include flying over our own airspace, not just into Europe.  For example, the emissions being calculated would include the entire distance from New York to Paris, not just over European airspace.  China has gone as far as threatening to cancel Airbus orders because of this. 

The United States passed a bill preventing its airlines from participating in the EU ETS.  They are more focused on a global solution to reduce emissions, and would prefer to work through the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).  The European Union announced that it would hold off on enforcing its law for one year to give the ICAO enough time to implement a global solution. 

The ICAO has made significant progress on standardizing aircraft CO2 emissions.  They have created an effective CO2 metric system.  It is a measurement of aircraft fuel burn performance and represents the CO2 emissions produced.  The CO2 metric system is based on three elements associated with aircraft design:

• Cruise point fuel burn performance;
• Aircraft size; and
• Aircraft weight

 

The purpose of the CO2 metric system is to reduce emissions by encouraging fuel efficient technologies into aircraft design.  Please click here for more information on the three elements which make up the CO2 metric system.  Because of this system, the CAEP (Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection) has moved one step closer towards developing an ICAO CO2 Standard.

I believe that a global solution is necessary to reduce aircraft emissions.  However, I feel that penalizing an airline by making them pay is the wrong solution.  ICAO has the right idea; we need to focus more on inventing new technologies to reduce CO2 emissions rather than turning this into a global marketplace.

NextGen: The Future of Aviation?

What is NextGen?  Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen, will change how flights are operated and managed in the National Airspace System (NAS).  It will improve safety, reduce delays, and save fuel.  It is already being implemented, with enhancements to satellite navigation and digital communications.  In class this week, we are discussing the “four major pillars” of NextGen.  These include:  economic impact, sustainability, flexibility and safety. 

Of these four major pillars, which ones (in order) are most important to me?

• Safety.  First and foremost, safety should be the number one priority in aviation.  The new NextGen systems are designed to make the NAS the safest in the world.  Satellite based navigation provides far more accuracy than ground based stations.  Weather and airspace data will be real-time, providing pilots and crew with much needed information. 
• Economic Impact.  The United States economy is always of concern.  Many citizens are worried about the future of our economy, and how we can generate more jobs.  NextGen technologies will enable airlines to burn less fuel and operate more efficiently, all while adding more than 10 million jobs.
• Sustainability.  We, as the human race, need to take care of our environment. NextGen will help improve the global environment, by reducing fuel burn and decreasing aircraft exhaust emissions.  Some of these new technologies will allow aircraft to operate more quietly, making airports more neighborhood friendly.
• Flexibility.  With NextGen technology, aircraft will no longer have to rely on ground based systems.  With satellite-based navigation, operators will have more options when travelling within the National Airspace System.  PBN, or Performance Based Navigation, allows more direct, fuel friendly flights.

How are we paying for NextGen technology?  The U.S. government is handling most of the cost today.  However, the government is proposing “User Fees” to help with the rising expenses.  How should these fees be applied, if the government passes a bill?  I think it should be based on how much you use the NAS, and what type of aircraft you fly.  The entire general aviation population should not have to pay the same user fees.  The President has proposed a $100-per-flight fee on commercial and general aviation, which I believe will negatively impact the industry. 

How will NextGen affect my career?  Once I reach the airlines, I strongly believe we will rely on NextGen technology every day.  We already see much of this technology being used today, especially with GPS navigation and instrument approaches.  Due to rising costs, Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) will be replaced by WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) and LPV (Localizer Performance with Vertical Navigation).  LPV provides the same accuracy as ILS, with minimums as low as 200 feet AGL.  VOR, or Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range, will be replaced by satellites.  Highways in the sky will be altered forever.  So may argue the reliability of GPS, especially with solar flare disruptions.  I think technology will overcome this challenge, and increase reliability in the near future.  It will take some time, but this is the beginning of what is to come.

Ground Operations

I would like to expound on Prop Turns “Ground Game.”  I found this topic to be interesting, for whenever aviation is mentioned, most people think about the pilots, crew and airplanes.  Ground operations are held mostly behind the scenes, and certainly are essential for any successful flight.

I worked for Signature Flight Support in the late 90’s.  I was known as a “ramper.”  We did everything from baggage handling, park/push/move aircraft, lavatory/water operations, and de-icing.  Several airlines contracted our services; there were only a select few that had their own baggage handlers at the time – Northwest, United and American.  Working overtime was not uncommon; some days consisted well over 14 hours, waiting for that late flight to come in.  Even with the long hours, I thoroughly enjoyed this job.  Every day, I had the opportunity to walk onto airplanes, talk to pilots and mechanics, and learn how airlines operate.  My love for aviation grew even stronger; becoming an airline pilot was my goal. 

After 2 years, I changed job positions.  I now fueled for one of the regional carriers out of KDTW:  Mesaba Airlines.  These were the days before CRJ’s and ERJ’s.  I re-fueled turboprops:  Metroliner’s, Dash 8’s, and SAAB 340’s.  While this position was very satisfying, I did not enjoy it as much as ramping.  I still had the opportunity to speak with pilots and learn about the day to day operations of a regional airline. 

Other ground services include catering; however, Signature did not offer this at the time.  In addition to ramping and refueling, we did include aircraft cabin cleaning in our services.

Ground operations ensure that the outcome of all flights will end in the highest standard.  Safety is our number one priority.  Without these people, airlines would simply grind to a halt.  Being a part of this for 2 ½ years was very rewarding, and if I had the opportunity to do it again, I would.