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Greetings!
Welcome to the Aviation Green Alliance! I hope you found your first edition of Alliance News to be useful and informative. In the coming months we hope to expand the content to include more articles that feature our members and what they're doing to promote positive solutions to aviation's environmental challenges. As you know, one of the central purposes of the Aviation Green Alliance is to share information about issues facing the aviation industry. There are several ways we are working to accomplish this. First is a monthly feature article in the Alliance News about member progress and initiatives as it relates to aviation and the environment. This month's feature story is an article about Hawker Beechcraft and what they're doing to support the environment; and what they hope to get out of their membership with AGA. I hope you will feel free to contact us with any new developments from your company that you would like to share! Another way we will keep you on the cutting edge of new developments and innovations in the area of aviation and the environment is through our forums. On July 25, we will be holding a forum entitled, "Alternative Aircraft Fuels & Engines." You can register for this event using the link provided under Upcoming Events. Leading industry, research, and government representatives will discuss emerging capabilities and you will have the opportunity to ask questions of these experts. We hope to see you there! Once again welcome aboard and we look forward to providing shared solutions, issues and measurable progress toward balancing the innovation represented by our industry and our stewardship of the environment.
Sincerely,
Larry E. Williams
Chairman, President & CEO
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Emissions
'Green' Taxiing System Under Development (Propwash, June 26, 2011)
A U.S. and a French company have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a joint venture company to deliver an innovative new electric green taxiing system for new and existing aircraft.
(Propwash, June 24, 2011)
Billed as the world's first aircraft with a serial hybrid electric drive system, Diamond Aircraft, Siemens, Austro Engine and EADS have been flying the DA36 E-Star this week at the Paris Air Show Le Bourget 2011.
Solar Impulse Has Landed in Paris
 Paris, 15 June 2011 - After a flight lasting 16 hours 05 minutes, using no fuel, Solar Impulse HB-SIA landed safely at Paris-Le Bourget, where it will be on display as a "Special Guest" at the opening of the International Paris Air Show.
"Throughout the 20th century, aviation was the undisputed symbol of progress, innovation and the pioneering spirit - the qualities that transformed our world," said Bertrand Piccard, founder and President of Solar Impulse. "And it should continue to play that role today, promoting optimism in society and a commitment to adopting solutions that will allow us to reduce our dependency on fossil energy."
American Airlines Sustainability Measures Save 123M Gallons in Jet Fuel Annually (SmartPlanet Daily, June 7, 2011)
The 45 new Boeing 737 planes added to the American Airlines fleet in 2010 are 35 percent more fuel-efficient than the planes they replaced. That's great news for an airline that already saves approximately 123 million gallons of jet fuel annually through the sustainability measures it has adopted over the past five years.
A New Spin on Carbon (Energy Biz, June 6, 2011)
Recycling is in vogue. But what about re-using carbon emissions? While it may sound far-fetched, governments around the globe are looking into it.
EU Hints at Exemptions for Non-EU Airlines from Carbon Emission Caps (Propwash, Aero-News.net, June 6, 2011)
The European Union is set to expand its cap-and-trade scheme for carbon reductions to airlines serving all EU airports next year, a move which has drawn protests from the Chinese government. But EU officials say that the non-European carriers could possibly win exemptions from the rules.
Related Stories: Lead Emissions from AvGas May Lead to Costly California Lawsuits (AIN Online, May 30, 2011) Carbon Air War Looms, (SmartPlanet Daily, June 7, 2011)
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Fuel Innovations
E.coli Seen Spawning Biofuel in Five Years (Yahoo News, June 29, 2011)
The bacteria behind food poisoning worldwide, the mighty E.coli, could be turned into a commercially available biofuel in five years, a U.S. scientist told technology industry and government leaders on Tuesday.
Alternative Jet Fuels May Soon be Sprouting at Metro Detroit's Airports (Propwash, June 27, 2011)
Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), operator of Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and Willow Run Airport (YIP), has partnered with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Office to grow, harvest and process bioenergy crops on airport-owned property. This strategic initiative ... the first of its kind in the Midwest ... represents WCAA's commitment to sustainable aviation in part through the promotion and development of aviation biofuels. (Propwash, June 25, 2011)
Reducing fuel consumption, carbon emissions and community noise were the focus of a joint announcement Tuesday by Boeing and American Airlines. The carrier will be the launch customer for what is being described as an evolutionary ecoDemonstrator Program. A Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft will be used to flight test and accelerate the market readiness of emerging technologies.
Paris "Green" Initiatives: Electric Taxi, Transatlantic Biofuel (Avweb Flash, June 23, 2011)
Seven ATA Member Airlines Sign On For Biofuels (Aero-News.net, June 23, 2011)
A core group of seven major airlines have signed letters of intent to purchase a future supply of jet fuel derived exclusively from biomass to be produced in northern California, according to the the Air Transportation Association.
Camelina Powers First Transatlantic Biofuel Flight (ENS, June 19, 2011)
 | | Honeywell's Carl Esposito, left, and Jim Rekoske arrive in Paris, June 18, 2011 (Photo courtesy Honeywell) |
One-quarter of the fuel used to carry the Gulfstream G450 jet across the Atlantic Ocean was biofuel derived from camelina. A 50/50 blend of camelina-based Honeywell Green Jet Fuel and petroleum-based jet fuel powered one of the plane's two Rolls-Royce engines.
The jet closely followed the route taken by Charles Lindbergh on his first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic in May 1927.
Read about a 2005 Lindbergh Foundation sponsored grant project using camelina.
Will the Real Biofuel Lindbergh Please Stand Up (SmartPlanet Daily, June 16, 2011)
Fuel, Cost Efficient LEAP Engine with Breakthrough Tech to Power Virgin America Planes (GE Reports, June 15, 2011)
Virgin America announced it will launch the LEAP jet engine by outfitting 30 new Airbus A320neo aircraft with the fuel and cost efficient engine from CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aviation and French engine manufacturer Snecma.
Diverse Feedstocks and Government Support Required to Meet Aviation Biofuels Demand, Says US Northwest Report (GreenAir Online, June, 6, 2011) Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh said: "It is critical to the future of aviation that we develop a sustainable supply of aviation biofuels. Airlines are particularly vulnerable to oil price volatility, and the aviation community must address this issue to maintain economic growth and further mitigate the environmental impacts of our industry."  | | Boeing Video: Aviation biofuels ready for takeoff |
Military and Aviation Industry Outline Need for Sustainable Biofuels (BioTech Now, May 13, 2011)
BIO's World Congress in Toronto hosted a general plenary session, "Civilian and Military Aviation Fuels: Can Biotech Make a Difference?," that provided significant insight on proposed legislation back in Washington. The session featured Michael Lakeman of Boeing, Charles Fishel of Biojet Corp., and Chris Tindal, Director of Operational Energy for the U.S. Navy.
Representing the commercial aviation sector, both Lakeman and Fishel set forth small initial goals for including biofuels in the mix of aviation fuels. Lakeman envision a 1 percent goal -60 million gallons - for biofuel use by commercial airlines by 2015.
Boeing: With 787 Almost Ready, It's Time to Harvest R&D Efforts (SmartPlanet Daily, June 3, 2011)
Boeing CEO Jim McNerney, says the company is set up to harvest its research and development efforts such as its Phantom Ray hydrogen-powered drone that can stay aloft for four days and its 787 Dreamliner, which should yield derivative planes for the years ahead.
Other Related Stories:
Aviation Biofuels Gain Global Attention (Flying Magazine, June 23, 2011) AvGas Developments (AOPA ePilot Special Report: Getting the Lead out, June 15, 2011)
Biofuel Blend for Jets OK'd (Delaware Online, June 9, 2011)
Virent wins $13 million grant to produce renewable jet fuel (Milwaukee Journal Sentinal, June 10, 2011)
Palm Oil Biodiesel Goes on Sale in Malaysia (ENS, June 6, 2011)
World Bank to Suggest CO2 Levy on Jet and Shipping Fuel (Reuters Africa, June 5, 2011)
Local Scientists Growing Algae as Next Alternative Fuel (KGTV-TV, San Diego, May 23, 2011)
MIT Analysis Emphasizes the Large Variability in Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Jet Biofuel Production (GreenAir online.com, May 24, 2011)
World Economic Forum Report Identifies Biofuels as the 'Game Changer' to Achieve Aviation Emissions Targets (GreenAir online.com, May 24, 2011)
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Member Profile
Founding Member
Hawker Beechcraft
has established a reputation as a company with a "green" initiative. HBC is currently involved with several regulatory committees, whose goal is to reduce or eliminate the current use of Avgas and Jet A.
Read on as HBC shares their views on aviation and the environment and what they hope to benefit from and accomplish through their AGA Membership.
Read On
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LF Continues to Support KWS
 | | St. Wendelin Airplane Project. After the plane flies a partial re-enactment of Cal Rogers' transcontinental flight, the Lindbergh Foundation will assist in getting the plane to Africa where it will be donated to the KWS |
Read More
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Upcoming Events
AGA Lunch & Forum:
July 25, 2011 Noon - 2 p.m. Founders Wing EAA AirVenture  
Watch for more AGA Forums coming soon to: AOPA - Sept. 2011, Hartford, CT NBAA - Oct. 2011, Las Vegas, NV
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Visit the AGA Website 
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Energy News
A New Alloy Could be a Source of Green Energy
(SmartPlanet Daily, June 23, 2011)
About sixty percent of energy produced is wasted as heat. When you rev up your car engine, the heat is emitted into the atmosphere and lost forever. Researchers at University of Minnesota demonstrated in their lab that an alloy can convert heat directly into electricity. If commercialized, it could use waste heat from a car's exhaust to charge a hybrid car's battery, scientists say. Breakthrough in Battery Technology Could Revolutionize Electric Vehicles (The Raw Story, June 9, 2011)
A new battery design developed by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology could transform the way electric vehicles and the power grid store and discharge energy.
Renewables Game Changer: GE Links Sun Tower, New Gas Tech (GE Reports, June 7, 2011)
 While plenty of new innovation is hitting the markets, there's still a giant chasm between where we are now and where we need to be in order to abandon fossil fuels. GE's new FlexEfficiency 50 Combined Cycle Power Plant is a step toward the seismic shift we need - it lets us integrate the renewable energy we do collect more efficiently into the grid. There's also Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) technology, which combines solar energy with a combined cycle in power plants - letting solar, rather than fossil fuels, generate power. Dreaming of Wind Turbines at 2,000 Feet (AvWeb, June 6, 2011)
Some researchers believe aerial turbines will be tapping high-altitude winds for power generation sometime in our future and perhaps within the decade.
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Scientific Innovation
Will Radical New Flying Machine Replace Helicopters?
(SmartPlanet Daily, June 24, 2011)
It can take off vertically, hover, rotate on a dime, fly in reverse and thrust down to nail a landing on a moving target. And it can do all of this at jet-like speed and without any of that familiar loud chopping noise.
Starlite, the Nuclear Blast-Defying Plastic that Could Change the World
(The Telegraph, June, 13, 2011)
Two decades ago amateur scientist Maurice Ward invented a material that could resist the force of 75 Hiroshimas. So why haven't we all heard about it?
Electrically Tunable Nanomaterial Changes Strength at the Touch of a Button
(Kurzweil, Accelerating Intelligence, June 7, 2011)
An electrically tunable nanomaterial that changes its strength from hard to soft at the touch of a button has been developed by researchers at the Technical University of Hamburg and the Helmholtz Center Geesthacht.
New Battery Design Could be Breakthrough for Electric Vehicles and Grid Storage (Kurzweil, Accelerating Intelligence, June 7, 2011)
Researchers at MIT have developed a radically new approach to the design of batteries that could provide a lightweight, inexpensive alternative to existing batteries for electric vehicles and the power grid.
Is Graphene A Miracle Material?
(Click, BBC News, May 21, 2011)
Said to be the strongest material ever measured, an improvement upon and a replacement for silicon and the most conductive material known to man, its properties have sent the science world - and subsequently the media - into a spin.
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Balance In Action
Lindbergh Grant projects are on the cutting edge of many scientific breakthroughs. Below are two Lindbergh grant recipients who have conducted research on topics that are featured in this newsletter -- Camelina as a source of biofuel, and turning waste heat into energy. We hope you enjoy seeing how some truly innovative ideas get started!
 | | Camelina-sativa |
Dr. David Sands, Montana State University
"Producing Biolubricants from Common Vegetable Oils in Order to Reduce Costly and Toxic Petroleum Motor Oil Use" | | Tomatoes grow in NYC using waste steam heat to warm the soil. |
Dr. Robert Dell, The Cooper Union for the
Advancement of Science and Art, New York City
"Harvesting and Re-circulating Surplus Heat to Warm the Soil of Small Urban Gardens in New York to Accelerate Plant Growth and Extend the Growing Season"
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