Green Airplanes Landing At Ivanpah Airport

By Robert L. Candiotti

December 21, 2010

At Southern Nevada's Ivanpah Valley Airport, a successful future for renewable energy aviation infrastructures will certainly benefit from commercial jet builders' extensive and constant attention to improving environmental technologies.

GOVERNMENTAL AND ACADEMIC CONTRIBUTIONS

The proposed Ivanpah Valley Airport - in Southern Nevada near the California border - has potential to be a significant new 21st Century airport with newsworthy renewable energy aspects (see Marketing Ivanpah As World's Greenest Airport at www.greenairport.net/id22.html).

Ivanpah Airport has strong possibilities of renewable energy components resulting from Nevada Senator Harry Reid's focus on green energy, the Obama administration's interest in job opportunities resulting from renewable energy construction, the attention of University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on renewable energy research and development, as well as the Clark County Aviation Department's stance that Ivanpah Airport eventually will be built.

Related to this, the evolution of commercial jets with environmental enhancements can add to the position of Southern Nevada as a renewable energy commercial aviation leader...

ACARE has ambitious goals to be reached by 2020.

Airbus is partnered with ACARE to achieve environmental aircraft improvements . (Courtesy Airbus).

AIRBUS ACHIEVEMENTS

Airbus information, found on the company's website, says jet airplanes today are 75% quieter than "the closest comparable aircraft produced in the 1960s." Airbus says modern jet planes are 20 dB (decibels) quieter than 50 years ago.

Airbus also notes that current aircraft burn 70% less fuel, and, consequently, "emit 70% less CO2 than aircraft flying in this period."

Airbus says it is a partner with the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE) to reach environmental aviation targets by 2020.

Four goals of Airbus/ACARE by 2020 are:

1. 50% cut in CO2 emission per passenger/km

2. 50% cut in perceived aircraft noise

3. 80% cut in nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions

4. a greener life style

The Airbus website states (see artwork above) the 50% cut in CO2 will be successful in three areas: "airframe will contribute 20 to 25%, engine 15 to 20%, and aircraft operation through air traffic management 5 to 10%."

Japan Airlines (JAL) Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

B787s are more fuel efficient and environmental. (Courtesy Boeing).

BOEING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Focus on environmental and fuel efficient improvements are also important to Boeing.

With regard to Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner airplanes, that company says the new jet model is representing advanced construction.

Boeing publicizes the fact that the new 787 airplanes - that are temporarily delayed because of electrical issues - are constructed of composite materials. The composites give the 787s lighter weight than similar airplanes, consequently making those planes more fuel efficient.

In fact, Boeing claims the 787 Dreamliners are "20% more fuel efficient than similarly sizes airplanes," and the emissions are also 20% fewer than comparable airplanes.

Aviation environmental technologies will improve.

MIT is already designing better green commercial airplanes for 2035. (Courtesy MIT).

MIT GREEN IMAGINATION

Imagining changes in air travel for 2035 is already taking place.

The future of commercial aviation will - it is already being worked on in the scientific milieu - improve upon the important achievements of Airbus and Boeing.

For example the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has just designed a green airplane with a target date of commercial introduction around 2035.

MIT's objective is to design futuristic airplanes - according to the university's news release "MIT-led team designs 'green' airplane" - that will consume 70% less fuel and will also diminish by 75% emission of nitrous oxide (NOx).

NASA, states the news release, is looking for concepts "that will help guide the agency's aeronatics research over the next 25 years."

The university's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics wants to be part of tomorrow's development of commercial airplanes. MIT is looking forward to being approved for the next phase of the NASA program.

LAS VEGAS 2030 FUTURE

If there is going to be a truly successful future for Las Vegas, a future that enables Southern Nevada to be part of the world's cultural connection in 2030, Ivanpah Airport - with a true green reality - is needed.

With the University of Nevada's proven passion and productivity for renewable energy development, Nevada Senator Harry Reid's support of renewable energy attention, the federal government's apparent commitment to assist with green technology, and Clark County Aviation Department's continuous interest in Ivanpah Valley Airport, there definitely is the potential for a worthwhile aviation future for Las Vegas.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Part of Las Vegas' potential for leadership in renewable energy transportation is passionate UNLV.

If green airplanes will be able to land and take off at a world-class green airport in Southern Nevada, Las Vegas has a real future for a vibrant association with global air transportation.

Reading about what is currently going on around the world, it is evident there is widespread eagerness, excitement and development expertise with long-haul air travel.

For many thousands of years, human beings have wanted to fly. In the early years of the 20th Century, accomplishments by the Wright Brothers and Charles Lindbergh put people in a dreamy state. In 1950 the beginning of the Boeing 707, and in 1970 the introduction of the Boeing 747, fascinated people everywhere with the travel possibilities. And things certainly have not stopped there.

Change is most definitely continuing. For Las Vegas to remain as the libertarian, interesting and pulsating city that it is, it will need to be technologically woven into the most advanced commercial aviation systems by having 21st Century Ivanpah Valley Airport where green jets can land.

Green airplanes landing at Ivanpah Airport are what will be required for Las Vegas to have a really successful aviation travel future.