DISQUS

EcoTech Daily: Airbus Promises Green Aircraft By 2020

  • Steven Sullivan · 1 year ago
    There is a technology available right now that will reduce fuel burn by up to 29%. Delos Aerospace has patented an in wheel motor/generator for aircraft that functions like a hybrid car wherein the braking effort generates electrical power that is then used for taxing thus no need to run the main engines for ground maneuvering which at many airports represents a significant amount of fuel burn; for example a 747-400 will burn 2.5 tons of fuel taxiing before takeoff out of NY.
  • PlanetThoughts · 1 year ago
    It sounds rather dismal, when considering a fuel cell array larger than the aircraft. As fuel continues to increase in cost, flying costs will be become prohibitive, unless algae-based biofuels can really take off. In any case, we will have the treat of sharing thoughts here on the Internet at sites like this one.
  • Ben Ray · 1 year ago
    Wow. That sounds incredible--and of course, something that the airlines would jump on, if it doesn't require them to buy new aircraft, a very real possibility as fuel costs skyrocket. I suspect that no amount of $15 bags and $2 waters will bail them out, and a technology that didn't take a massive taxpayer subsidy (as the airliners do) would be nice.