This fascinating Stanford University video explores what can be done to make aviation more sustainable
Yes, we can all do the thing that we know sounds greenest and just decide to stop using air transport altogether.
But until then, perhaps it will be worthwhile getting a briefing on how the aero industry sees its future.
Ilan Kroo, professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford University, discusses the impact of aviation on the environment and the idea of “sustainable” aviation.
Transport is responsible for 13-20% of all greenhouse gases, and aviation accounts for about 13% of transportation.
Additionally, burning fuel at higher altitudes has an increased effect on global warming compared to the same emissions at lower altitudes, which gives the airline industry a disproportionate impact on climate change.
Kroo shows that airplane efficiency has improved by 70% since the first airplane design, but has a number of design recommendations for further increasing the fuel efficiency of planes.
These include autonomous aerial refueling, formation flight, and altered wing shape for reduction of drag.
Kroo recommends systems of fleet design, new configuration and technologies, and a new climate model as critical for future improvements.
Professor Kroo’s background
He received his B.S. degree in Physics from Stanford in 1978, then continued studies at Stanford in Aeronautics, leading to a Ph.D. degree in 1983.
He worked in the Advanced Aerodynamic Concepts Branch at NASA’s Ames Research Center for four years before returning to Stanford as a member of the Aero/Astro faculty.
Prof. Kroo’s research in aerodynamics and multidisciplinary design optimization includes the study of innovative airplane concepts.
He has participated in the design of UAV’s, flying pterosaur replicas, Americas’ Cup sailboats, and high-speed research aircraft.
In addition to his research and teaching interests, Prof. Kroo is founder and chief scientist of a small software company and is an advanced cross-country hang glider pilot.
Ilan Kroo is a Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford University.
He received his B.S. degree in Physics from Stanford in 1978, then continued studies at Stanford in Aeronautics, leading to a Ph.D. degree in 1983.
He worked in the Advanced Aerodynamic Concepts Branch at NASA’s Ames Research Center for four years before returning to Stanford as a member of the Aero/Astro faculty.
Prof. Kroo’s research in aerodynamics and multidisciplinary design optimization includes the study of innovative airplane concepts.
He has participated in the design of UAV’s, flying pterosaur replicas, Americas’ Cup sailboats, and high-speed research aircraft.
In addition to his research and teaching interests, Prof. Kroo is founder and chief scientist of a small software company and is an advanced cross-country hang glider pilot.
The video is of a lecture by Ilan Kroo for the Woods Energy Seminar (ENERGY301) In his talk “Future Air Transportation and the Environment”
