Back to the Future: Slow is the New Fast

A strong indication that the aviation industry is serious in its commitment to a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, a special Green Pavilion  appeared at the Singapore Airshow for the first time last week showcasing the latest environmental technologies.  And for the ultimate in clean air travel, the Aircruise is conceptually launched.  A giant, vertical airship is lifted by hydrogen and powered by solar energy, to benefit both travellers and the environment.

By Satish Cheney, Channel NewsAsia (04 February 2010):

SINGAPORE : The aviation industry is committed to a 50 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, and reflecting that challenge is a special green exhibition at the Singapore Airshow this year.

Major aviation companies are showcasing the latest environmental technologies at the Green Pavilion at the airshow.

The sector now accounts for two per cent of global carbon emissions and that could rise – especially since the industry is set for major growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The one positive thing about aviation and going green is green technology is tied to fuel burn. So as you reduce the amount of fuel you burn, you reduce the amount of carbon emissions and that is definitely related to profitability of the airlines,” said Paul Finklestein, VP of Marketing at Pratt & Whitney.

Reflecting how serious the industry is, in 2008, the European Union (EU) set up a 1.6 billion euros Clean Sky project – a programme to come up with new technologies quickly.

“The normal lifespan of an aeroplane is 30 years and the development of this kind of technology is 10 years. So we really have to start putting as much effort as possible into developing these new technologies,” said Holger Standertskjold, Ambassador & Head of Delegation, EU.

With aviation companies putting all their focus on coming out of dark economic times, there are concerns that green initiatives will take a step back. But aviation companies insist that will not be the case.

“We are pushing forward and this year, (we have) two main projects. The first one is implementation of bio fuels for aviation and the second one is development of modernised air-traffic management,” said Carine Huc-Pinault, director of Environment Strategy, Airbus.

Last month, Airbus flew for the first time a commercial flight with 50 per cent alternative fuel blended with normal jet fuel, successfully.

Despite emerging technologies, the failure to reach any serious agreement in the recent Copenhagen climate talks will mean that the aviation sector will have a challenging time.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

By Kate Schneider (4 February 2010):

TOWERING airships could be the future of luxury travel following the introduction of a concept called the Aircruise.

UK company Seymourpowell today released details of the new travel and transportation concept, which it has likened to a hotel in the sky.

The Aircruise is a giant, vertical airship powered by natural energy and designed to carry travellers instyle and luxury.

Standing at 265 metres tall from base to tip and is capable of lifting 396 tonnes, the craft features penthouse apartments, stylish bars and an array of glass viewing floors.

The company based its design around a maximum of 100 passengers on board, making the journey an adventure in itself.

Nick Talbot, design director at Seymourpowell, said the concept presents an alternative vision of the future, where ‘slow is the new fast’.

“The Aircruise concept questions whether the future of luxury travel should be based around space-constrained, resource hungry, and all too often stressful airline travel, Mr Talbot said.

“A more serene transport experience will appeal to people looking for a more reflective journey, where the experience of travel itself is more important than getting from A to B quickly.”

Lifted by hydrogen and powered by solar energy, the Aircruise concept has benefits both for travellers and the environment.

“The physics of the airship requires a gigantic volume of lifting gas, yet simultaneously demands a relatively limited amount of weight. This allows for a potentially large amount of space with relatively few people onboard – a luxury for any traveller,” Mr Talbot said.

The company has designed a detailed technical specification for the aircraft and believes the project is “achievable”.

It is estimated the craft will travel from London to New York in approximately 37 hours with a cruising speed without tail or headwind of 100 to 150 km/h.

There will be six flight crew members and 14 support staff.

Korean giant Samsung Construction and Trading is also behind the project.

Source: www.news.com.au