Cleaner Aircraft Also Made in Greener Way

(September 4, 2008) -- The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) has published the tenth of its briefing papers examining how the industry can reduce further its impact on the environment - this new paper examines the way in which the manufacturing process can be improved to support the development of cleaner and greener aircraft.

The four phases of an aircraft's approximately 40 year product life cycle (design, manufacture, use and disposal) are all inter-dependent. Difficulties abound in seeking to improve the environmental performance of an aircraft through its life because changes in one phase may have consequences for another. The briefing paper sets out the activities being undertaken by the industry to ensure that new aircraft are better for the environment in all four phases of its life.

Policy, regulation and a company's own environmental targets are effective in making manufacturing processes leaner, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. Although complying with regulations can have significant implications for manufacturers - including increased costs, changes in manufacturing processes and even changes to product availability - they can also offer cost and performance benefits. The demand for new, greener aircraft has never been greater. However, new products require new materials, processes, skills and equipment thereby presenting new manufacturing challenges.

As an example of this new way of working, the Airbus A380 not only delivers carbon dioxide emissions per passenger kilometre comparable to a car that is exempt from the London congestion charge but it was also the first aircraft where decommissioning tests were undertaken as part of the pre-service testing.

An exhibit at the recent Farnborough Airshow also demonstrated to members of the public how an aircraft can be recycled and the vast majority of the materials re-used.

Ian Godden, SBAC Chief Executive, said:

"The aviation industry is not only producing ever-cleaner aircraft but it is doing so in an increasingly green way. Throughout the life cycle of an aircraft - from design through manufacture and use to disposal - the focus is now on delivering a reduced environmental impact.

"The aviation industry has made major strides in reducing its impact on the environment - currently just two per cent of the total global, man-made, carbon dioxide emissions. In the last fifty years we have reduced fuel burn - and therefore carbon dioxide emissions - by seventy per cent and we aim to cut this by a further fifty per cent of 2000 levels by 2020.

"The challenge is to match these aims and achievements in the use phase of the aircraft throughout its life cycle. In such a complex field as aviation there are many obstacles to overcome. However, our industry is known for its innovation and problem-solving capacity and I believe that we are geared up for the challenge."

Source : SBAC