High up in the clouds, out of sight for the majority of those on the ground, there is a complex world of air traffic which few people, other than pilots, scientists and air traffic controllers, understand. Fortunately for the masses, SESAR, the body responsible for the Single European Sky and general air traffic management research [...]

In light of the announcements in aircraft design, biofuel production, and air traffic management implementation made recently, with three major developments at the 6th Aviation and Environment Summit alone, advances in futuristic ideas for aviation are appearing in abundance. There seems to be an exponential curve characterising technology, and the following are spectacular examples. The [...]

Proceedings are well under way in Geneva for the 6th Aviation and Environment Summit. Many delegates, speakers, stakeholders, and spectators have descended on the lake-side city for the conference on the aviation industry and the environment, and this year for the launch of the report, ‘Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders’ commissioned by the Air Transport Action [...]

What is I-4D? – despite the name, it is not the latest craze for cinema goers, but is in fact the culmination of a smart new air traffic management technology delivered by SESAR (Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research) with the help of Airbus, Eurocontrol, Honeywell, Indra, Noracon1, and Thales. February 10, 2012, was [...]

Having already spoken on NASA’s activities with Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman recently, NASA have released further information on their N+3 and N+4 prototypes and technologies (the term ‘N+3’, denoting three generations beyond the current commercial transport fleet). Phase one of the N+3 concepts were completed in 2010, and have been used as a bed [...]

Consider the changes undergone in aviation since the commercial use of jet aircraft began at the end of the 1950’s, and it is easy to see the progression in aircraft shape and design, let alone fuel efficiency. Today jet aircraft are over 70% more fuel efficient per seat kilometre than those of the 1960’s, and [...]

Airbus has had its engineers looking out into the future and, following last year’s launch of the concept aircraft at Farnborough Air Show, has now launched the cabin of the future. You can read more about it at www.thefuturebyairbus.com, but I wanted to share with you this cool little film about the energy of the [...]

With last week’s important announcement that biofuels are only a few weeks away from official certification that we can use them on passenger flights, there was a cascade of news from the air show at Le Bourget to do with aviation biofuels. Here is a summary.  On Saturday, Honeywell completed the first trans-Atlantic biofuel flight [...]

What a difference a couple of years make. The last time I was at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, in 2009, the weather was fantastic but the recession was hitting aviation hard and the mood of the industry was gloomy. At least we had the sun. This year, there was indecisive weather and [...]

You might have noticed that we at Enviro.aero have talked a little about SESAR before on our blog. But you might have been forgiven at times for not fully understanding SESAR’s (hyperlink) (Single European Sky ATM Research) work, why it’s important and most importantly how it helps you and the environment. Well, never fear! The [...]