Strategies To Mitigate Pilot Pollution In Aviation

Pilot pollution is a problem observed in areas where a mobile station does not have enough RAKE fingers to process all the received pilot signals or there is no dominant pilot signal. This can be mitigated by defining a proper base station antenna configuration.

However, this article will focus on how to reduce pollution from pilots in the aviation industry. Aviation is one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and if left unaddressed, it will significantly contribute to the climate crisis. To reduce pilot pollution, governments and airlines can take several measures, including adopting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), improving aircraft fuel efficiency, developing more sustainable aviation fuels, and removing carbon from the atmosphere.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

One of the key advantages of SAF is its compatibility with existing aircraft and infrastructure. SAF can be blended with conventional jet fuel at different levels, with limits between 10% and 50%, depending on the feedstock and production method. This flexibility allows for a gradual transition to more sustainable aviation fuel without the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.

SAF has the potential to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to estimates, SAF can reduce emissions by up to 94% compared to conventional jet fuel. This reduction is crucial in addressing the aviation industry's contribution to climate change. Additionally, SAF produced from wet waste, such as manure and sewage sludge, offers the added benefit of reducing methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.

The development and deployment of SAF are crucial in the transition to a more sustainable aviation industry. The International Air Transit Association (IATA) estimates that SAF could contribute around 65% of the emission reductions needed for aviation to reach net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. To achieve this goal, a significant increase in SAF production is necessary, with the most significant acceleration expected in the 2030s as policy support becomes global and SAF becomes cost-competitive with fossil fuels.

Government policies play a pivotal role in promoting the adoption of SAF. Organizations like the International Coalition for Sustainable Aviation (ICSA) advocate for harmonized policies across countries and industries, along with incentives to accelerate the deployment of SAF. Additionally, research and development supported by organizations like the U.S. Department of Energy's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) are crucial in overcoming barriers and scaling up the production of SAF.

Fuel-efficient aircraft

Fuel efficiency is a critical topic in aviation, with ambitious targets set to reduce the environmental impact of air travel. Aircraft fuel efficiency can be improved by:

• Using lightweight materials such as carbon fibre and composite plastics to reduce weight.
• Improving aerodynamics through redesigned wings and winglets.
• Employing more efficient engines, such as the Trent XWB, which is currently the world's most efficient large aero-engine.
• Adopting hybrid or fully electric propulsion.
• Utilising advanced technologies like laminar flow, variable camber, and spiroid wingtips.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The 787 Dreamliner is highly fuel-efficient, with a range of up to 7,635 nautical miles and 20% better fuel efficiency than comparable planes. Its frame is made from nearly 50% carbon fibre and other composite materials, offering significant weight savings.

Airbus A350

The Airbus A350 is one of the most popular long-haul wide-body planes. It has a range of over 15,000 km and can carry up to 440 passengers. The aircraft is designed to be lightweight, with 70% made from advanced materials like carbon fibre. It also features redesigned wings for increased aerodynamics and highly efficient Trent XWB engines.

Airbus A320neo

The A320neo is a single-aisle aircraft known for its fuel efficiency and low operating costs. It has a range of up to 3,700 nautical miles and can fly for up to 6 hours without refuelling.

Bombardier CSeries

The CSeries family includes narrow-body, twin-engine jets that are fuel-efficient and have low emissions. The CS100 and CS300 models have ranges of up to 3,400 and 3,200 nautical miles, respectively, and can fly for up to 6 hours.

Embraer E195-E2

The E195-E2 is a single-aisle, narrow-body jet known for its fuel efficiency and low operating costs. It has a range of up to 3,400 nautical miles and can fly for up to 6 hours without refuelling.

Route optimisation

The choice of aircraft for different routes is typically based on factors such as flight length, passenger numbers, and weather conditions. However, airlines can also consider fuel efficiency in their routing decisions. This involves improving air traffic control procedures to enable aircraft to fly the most fuel-efficient profiles and eliminate stacking.

Software solutions are available to help airlines optimise their route planning. These tools allow airlines to input various factors and receive optimised route plans that consider crew management, maintenance, and booking functionality. While these solutions can reduce costs and increase productivity, their impact on carbon emissions is most significant when combined with other sustainability initiatives, such as the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) or modernised fleets.

Additionally, congestion in air traffic control systems can lead to aircraft deviating from optimal cruise altitudes and fuel-efficient speeds, resulting in unnecessary fuel burn and emissions. To address this issue, mathematical models and automation tools can be utilised to optimise conflict-free trajectories for aircraft, minimising fuel burn and environmental impacts.

Overall, route optimisation plays a crucial role in reducing pilot pollution by ensuring that aircraft fly the most fuel-efficient paths, minimising deviations, and considering the unique fuel burn characteristics of different aircraft models.

Digitalising fuelling operations

Pilots can make small adjustments

Pilots can make small adjustments to target fuel amounts to allow for weight changes without the need to physically interact with the fueller.

Turnaround times are improved

Digitalisation improves turnaround times by connecting real-time data between airlines and airports, improving overall efficiency.

Outdated software is updated

For airlines that still rely on paper-based transactions and outdated software or spreadsheets to manage their operations, digitalisation can be a quick and relatively easy game-changer.

Efficiency is improved

Digitalisation improves efficiency in many ways, often leading to increased sustainability and a reduced carbon footprint via a filter-down effect, with the added bonus of saving time and money.

The entire airport fuel supply chain is digitalised

The most effective option is to digitalise the entire airport fuel supply chain. This can be achieved by using fuel management technology to seamlessly connect the fuel supplier, into-plane operator, and airline to track end-to-end fuel movements.

Real-time information is provided

Key stakeholders are provided with detailed and real-time information with greater operational control and efficiency.

Zero-emission fuels

Types of Zero-Emission Fuels

• Hydrogen: Hydrogen is a key building block for producing other zero-emission fuels and has been the focus of many projects, especially for short-haul flights.
• Ammonia: Also known as green ammonia, it is being considered for deep-sea vessels and has the potential to reduce carbon emissions.
• Synthetic fuels (efuels): These are 'drop-in' replacements for jet fuel that can be used with minimal changes to aircraft and fueling infrastructure. They offer a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on a life-cycle basis.
• Biofuels: Biofuels have been used in blends with fossil fuels, but there is now a push toward 100% biofuel flights. Mature biofuels, such as traditional ethanol and biodiesel, are already beyond the demonstration stage.

Challenges and Considerations

• Feedstock Availability: Ensuring a sustainable feedstock supply is a key challenge for all alternative fuel options.
• Research and Development: Further R&D is needed to improve the production, storage, and use of green hydrogen, ammonia, and efuels, as well as to understand and mitigate their non-CO2 climate impacts.
• Cost: Zero-emission fuels can be significantly more expensive than traditional fossil jet fuel, which may hinder their adoption, especially in developing regions with growing aviation demand.
• Infrastructure and Compatibility: The transition to zero-emission fuels will require considerations for handling multiple technologies at airports and on aircraft, as well as specialized staff training.
• Environmental Impact: It is important to ensure that alternative fuels do not cause unacceptable collateral ecological damage and that their life cycle analysis and non-CO2 environmental impacts are thoroughly assessed.

Frequently asked questions