A sustainable approach to engine building and aeronautics

From sustainable fuels, engines, and more, reducing the environmental footprint is now more attainable than ever in aviation.

Today, numerous aerospace and aviation companies are adopting greener technologies with new systems utilizing hydrogen fuel and more innovative practices overall. For example, electrified aircraft propulsion systems are proving to be incredibly beneficial despite the challenges and applied technologies necessary to make them work. Likewise, more sustainable techniques are starting to be implemented to successfully develop aviation electrification, minimize fuel burning, and in turn, lower emissions and costs for the industry.

According to A Review of Concepts, Benefits, and Challenges for Future, Electrical Propulsion-Based Aircraft, the aerospace industry consumes well over 276 million tons of jet fuel and produces around 2.7% of CO2 emissions yearly while flying. Additionally, the demand for fuel is estimated to grow by approximately 4.8% annually; by the year 2050, it is predicted that we will see a 60% plus increase in air travel miles with a 38% increase in energy usage and over 209 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. Though the subsequent environmental damage associated with these numbers is incredibly concerning, the restructuring of efficient technology, the use of new propulsion techs, decarbonization, and other green technologies, are bringing increasing promise to a more sustainable world.

Engine maintenance

Unsurprisingly, jet engine producers and maintenance crews always look for ways to reduce costs and repairs. Engines are a significant part of the airplane and having to maintain and/or repair one can result in pricey outcomes. In turn, many engine maintenance companies are adopting new methods to strengthen engines and increase their life cycles while also helping decrease ecological and environmental impacts. For example, new technologies and product developments such as the NASA and Pratt & Whitney Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core are improving engine combustors with cleaner energy.

“In order to meet the Aviation Climate Action Plan’s carbon emissions goals, future single-aisle aircraft engines will have to be able to burn sustainable aviation fuels,” said Tony Nerone, HyTEC project manager at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. “HyTEC’s role is to develop these small core engine combustors that are more efficient, more durable, and able to use sustainable aviation fuel without compromising the engine performance and while providing significant emissions benefits.”

Engine building

Companies such as Rolls Royce are leading a new way of creating Civil Aerospace engines, pledging to have fully compatible engine types in 2023. To keep up with environmental standards, their engines help planes fly on blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and are over 98% recyclable.

Additionally, the use of 3D printing and Additive Layer Manufacturing is allowing certain airplane engine parts to be created with less waste while also cutting down production times. An example is the Pearl 10X engine. On the other hand, the modified A380 from Airbus will be tested using a hydrogen-powered engine that can potentially bring lower-emission fuels to air travel. This plane is one of the largest passenger planes, with enough room for liquid hydrogen tanks and more.

Hybrid electric and water-enhanced turbofans

A current European Union-funded project has big aero engine companies such as MTU Aero Engines, Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, and Airbus working together. The companies aim to create two leading engine techs: hybrid electric and water-powered turbofans. This technology will help engines be more efficient, have electric taxiing, takeoff boost, and much more.

According to Simple Flying: “The second part of this puzzle is the water-enhanced turbofan or WET for short. Based on a gas turbine and under development by MTU Aero Engines, the WET uses residual heat from exhaust gasses to vaporize water in the engine. The vapor is injected into the combustor, which MTU says has the power to significantly drive down nitrogen oxide emissions. Alongside this, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and contrail formation are all reduced.”

Sustainable fuel
Likewise, Boeing is working to make fuel more sustainable and affordable with a

hydrogen-powered plane. Through successful test flights, Boeing has already proven that choosing more sustainable fuels over petroleum jelly can work and transform the current climate change situation. Today, sustainable aviation fuels are mixed directly with conventional jet fuel up to a 50/50 blend — the maximum allowed under current fuel specifications. To meet the aviation industry’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2050, airplanes need the capability to fly on 100% sustainable aviation fuels well before then.

In conclusion, new and more sustainable technology and alternative materials are constantly and successfully being used to address current environmental challenges and socio-economic issues associated with the aviation industry. These new developments are not only benefitting aerospace businesses but the world as a whole.

A new generation of aviation students

High school students are leading the way into a new & innovative generation of aviation.

Imagine what it takes to learn how to fly! Studying to be a pilot in the aviation industry comes with many challenges, such as finding the right instructor, preparing for the infamous FAA exams, learning how to communicate with the tower, and being proficient in the latest tools—not to mention the high expenses. Such a heavy undertaking could dissuade many from becoming a pilot.

However, today we are seeing the emergence of a new and innovative generation of aviators: high school students! Today, aviation chapters and numerous institutions and organizations around the U.S. are helping students acquire the knowledge and new tools needed to soar through the skies by offering real-world and hands-on experiences. Through these programs, students are thrown into trouble-solving situations and are better positioned to pursue their future careers in aviation confidently.

For example, students learn how to fly and maintain planes with a top-of-the-line flight simulator at North Augusta High School. With the help of instructors such as Travis Spears, students are having fun exploring flight opportunities and learning the pre-flight steps, how to handle issues, and how to fly safely before actually stepping onto a real plane. The course also offers students a curriculum written by Boeing and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and all of the necessary information needed to pass the FAA exam.

North Augusta High School instructor Travis Spears stated, “Many people have this idea that aviation is this unattainable thing that is only available to rich people. Our program is designed to open up the opportunity to fly to everyone.”

In June 2022, The Lone Star Flight Museum and The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington, signed an agreement to push aviation learning into the community. Together, they installed an Aviation Learning Center (ALC) to inspire the pursuit of aviation in high school students and introduce them to the basic concepts of aerodynamics, traffic control, relevant math skills, engineering, and computer science. Additionally, the Texas aircraft company Mooney International Inc. will provide the museum with an aircraft where students can eventually practice their hard-earned skills hands-on.

The center is also fighting to change the narrative of women in aviation. “In other countries, you see that 60% of engineers are women, whereas in the U.S., it is only about 18%. This is a cultural thing. It’s my generation of parents that bring up their daughters to think it’s a man’s field, that math and science are not for girls,” stated Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, Director of the

University of Houston’s STEM Center and Director/Co-Chair of the Education Committee of Lone Star Flight Museum.

Likewise, this past July, the Women’s Air Race Classics (ARC) program was implemented for prospective female pilots ranging from 17-90 years old. The program aims to encourage and educate current and future women pilots, increase public awareness of general aviation, demonstrating women’s roles in aviation, and preserve and promote the tradition of pioneering women in aviation.

Lastly, The Lakeland Aero Club is a non-profit flying club for high school students that teach all aspects of the aviation industry, including complete restorations and flight training. Through the club’s program, students gain hands-on training in building aircraft engines and gain full support until they are up in the air and flying.

Programs like the ones mentioned above successfully prepare students with the latest technology and knowledge to prepare them in their quest to become future pilots. All of these associations and organizations are using FAA requirements, state of the art training, all in a dynamic, supportive, and safe environment. With the help of incredible instructors, students can fulfill their dreams and spearhead a new generation in aviation!

Important things you need to know about One Pilot

To have two pilots or one pilot? That is the question. In this latest dilemma, airlines are pushing to cut costs and operations in very concerning ways.

In the early days, a pilot could count on 4 other crew members assisting them in the cockpit. Fast forward to now, technological advances have shrunk the operations down to 2 pilots and, quite possibly, even just one. Airlines and other regulators express their needs and explain how a one-pilot model will lower costs and solve crew shortages. It will also put all the pressure and responsibility on one person. With many countries asking the UN to change global aviation safety rules, issues of safety and stress are a significant concern.

Many airlines and companies are pushing to have one pilot instead of 2 in the cockpit when flying commercial. Though many believe this will cut costs, many pilots are expressing concerns about the amount of stress that comes along with this. What does this new bill mean, and how will it affect operations? Here’s a deep dive to help you understand, prepare, and consider the risks/challenges.

What is the one pilot model?

One Pilot model or Single Pilot (SPO) operation is an important development in modern aviation technology operations. According to Single Pilot Operations In Commercial Cockpits by Paul L. Myers III and Arnold W. Starr JR, The SPO mode is a reduction from two pilots to one pilot, which no longer can interact, monitor, confirm, and make decisions between pilots. With the development of IT technology, the logical automated processing capability and the performance of aircraft systems have been effectively enhanced, but human-to-human decision-making based on knowledge, perception, experience, and cognition during flight has stayed the same. Thus, relying solely on the single pilot's independent cognition, behavior, and competence does not meet the safety requirements set out by I0CAO.

With fuel, labor prices, pilot salary increases, and even staffing problems, the critically acclaimed SPO could save airlines some money.

The Concerns

Changing from a collaboration of two pilots to one single pilot can drastically increase the workload that two pilots should carry out. Specific controls, set-ups, and processes might be complicated and only possible to perform with two pilots. The SPO model adoption will need to cover or create an efficient and high-quality operation to eliminate any differences, response times, flight awareness, and decision-making for one pilot to perform effectively.

In addition, the circumstances below will need to be addressed:

●  When a pilot becomes incapacitated or unconscious and unable to respond to voice alerts, it can cause tragic consequences.

●  Cockpit surveillance

●  Establish air-ground communications and decisions.

●  Complex failures and problem-solving

●  Check and balance

Obstacles to consider

While we have come so far in automation, the technology that helps us fly can only do as it is told. Therefore, the automation will have to act as another human pilot and respond promptly and without errors to the pilot. You could program a computer to do specific tasks, but it cannot handle human cognitive functions. Automation failures can increase the workload again for pilots and break any confidence in the systems, becoming a stressor and getting in the way of how the pilot thinks, operates, and reacts.

Lastly, the biggest obstacle to consider is whether passengers are willing to accept one pilot flying with possible help from a not-so-perfect system. With so many countries asking for regulations to be changed and saying one pilot is as safe as two, an imminent change in automation technology needs to be developed before replacing an expert second human pilot.