Carbon footprint for the new airline passengers.

[kwicky]

Now that the giant Airbus with up to 800 passengers has taken the air what is the persoanl carbon footprint for each passenger as compared with Boeings much smaller Dreamliner?

[VillageVicar]

My oh my, I think that would be a complex thing to answer at present. For a most accurate answer you would need to consider RPM's (revenue passenger miles) with ASM (available seat miles), against FMPP (fuel mix per passenger) and RCM (revenue cargo miles) in the equation...the RPM would be determined against the number of ASM (available seat miles) or number of seats per aircraft and AFM (actual flown miles) for each destination. Fuel consumption can vary). Perhaps there is an aviation analyst here who might contribute to this...it's far far away from my knowledge..

dumb priest! :-)

[heathfield]

A couple of weeks ago the media was full of news of Boeing's new aircraft. All reported that the plane uses 20% less fuel, even a Boeing rep interviewed on TV. But no-one, (including the Boeing rep), actually said what this 20% saving was being compared to. So the information was utterly useless.

[VillageVicar]

Heathfield, I tend to agree with you. I heard that comment too. The only thing I imagined he was attributing his statement to was Boeing�s other dual engine LR aircraft, such as the 767 or 777..and of course the 757. He could have been comparing it to Airbus� dual engine aircraft as well. Yes, I�m typically quite sceptical when I hear comments such as these. But in fairness, I do know there�s a formula that can be used, provided there�s a common benchmark used.

Ultimately, for those of us who fall prey to marketing exhortations, it has little difference than a washing up liquid saying �New and Improved!�

Be well

Fr Bill

[kwicky]

I was hoping that the building of larger aircraft such as the new Airbus is because of greater effiency and not just to achieve greater profits. Also the untried plastic fuelage of the Dreamliner seems to be causing some problems. (not the design surely?)

[VillageVicar]

Kwicky: Ultimately it is! Airlines are constantly looking for ways to maximise profits from RPM (revenue passenger miles). This is gained by carrying more passengers longer distances with minimal fuel. Ultimately, the A380, 787 and some of the current 2 engine aircraft are providing good mileage against fuel, but it could always do better. The aircraft that went against this, such as Concorde and the old 707's DC8's etc, cost far too much to operate.

The new dreamliner will be interesting to see. I still remember the structural problems with the comet. Let's hope the plastics moving between extreme temperatures will work well.

Be well

Fr Bill

[kwicky]

The story about troubles with the Dreamliner was stated to be the fasteners that hold the composite structure together. On a previous question I queried how a plastic body could divert lightning strikes. Steel structures do this with the Faraday cage effect where lightning is disipated but not with composites. So the design of these special fasteners that have been patented. I wondered if the problem stemmed from this?

[VillageVicar]

I'm not sure. I haven't given that any thought other than through the concept of general avionics. I believe the composite either contains a mesh fibre to strengthen and support its expansion and reduction, which could be used for this purpose. Or, it may be that the 787 has...crum...now I can't remember what it's called...an absorption device that routes the lightening or St Elmo's Fire into that box...now it's going to bother me...I can't remember the name of the device... I'll try to look it up..

Good question though...I'm sure one of our experts in the states will pick up on this eventually!

Be well

Fr Bill

[VillageVicar]

It's a bit wordy, but near the bottom there's a comment regarding lightening here. The article does raise questions!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/boeingae rospace/2003889663_boeing180.html

Fr Bill

[heathfield]

Kwicky, there's an interesting article that goes into some detail on the subject here.