Aviation

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a narrow-bodied 200 pax passenger jet labeled H2 sitting in a field covered in dust, rust and pigeon droppings

Airbus Drops Hydrogen As Aviation Industry Admits It Won’t Fly

Hydrogen’s hoped for role in aviation dates back to the mid-20th century, when researchers began exploring its potential as an alternative to conventional jet fuel. In 1957, engineers at Lockheed and Boeing investigated hydrogen propulsion as part of Cold War efforts to develop high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft. In 1959, a modified … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of the Grim Reaper looming over an electric VTOL rotorcraft like the Joby and a bus labeled "H2"

Transportation Firm Deathwatch: Hydrogen & EVTOLs

For several years there have been a couple of parallel slow motion failures in the making, the use of hydrogen in transportation and the Jetsons’ fantasy of air taxis zipping over cities. Neither were based in economic, regulatory, or technical reality, preferring instead to have vast sums of governmental and … [continued]

ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a Joby-style evtol landing and blowing people and garbage cans away with its very strong rotorwash

Dangerous Downwash Is The 15th Reason Why A Jetsons EVTOL Future Won’t Happen

Over the past few years tens of billions of dollars, enormous numbers of hours of aerospace engineers’ precious time, and countless articles have been wasted on the Jetsons fantasy of quiet, electric, folding aircraft taking off and descending vertically amidst the towers and homes of our cities. Now the US … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of dilipidated rust belt buildings with GE and Boeing logos on them

Jack Welch Screwed Up GE & Boeing, And With Them Much US Climate Action

Jack Welch was the quintessential American capitalist, feted by Wall Street, dined by global politicians and harkened to by his innumerable acolytes. He destroyed General Electric personally, and his legacy is destroying Boeing, the only major commercial aircraft manufacturer left standing in the United States. That doesn’t bode well for … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of an American driving a huge SUV toward a massive airport

Moving People In USA Much Harder To Decarbonize Than In Rest Of World

Recently I published a projection of aviation decarbonization with a mix of battery electric and biofuels, including hybrid models, dominating through 2100 in Aerotime, an aviation industry specific journal that requested it. That triggered a lot of discussion, with some of the usual suspects chiming in on subjects they weren’t … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of a shipping container suspended in mid-air between a container ship and a cargo aircraft

No, Carbon Pricing Maritime Shipping Won’t Push Freight To Airplanes

Recently I published on the International Maritime Organization’s commitment to introduce carbon pricing for all maritime shipping in 2028. One of the comments echoed something I’d seen elsewhere, the odd premise that this would drive freight to much higher emissions airplanes, and hence be counterproductive from a climate perspective. The … [continued]

ChatGPT & DALL-E generated panoramic image of an ATR 72 with hydrogen written on the side abandoned in a weedy field beside an airport, covered in dirt and pigeon droppings

Another Day, Another Hydrogen Transportation Firm Plummets To Earth

After a brief period when hydrogen for energy and transportation plays managed to mostly limp along without failing entirely, apparently it’s time for another spate of bankruptcies and closures. A few days ago, it was Hyzon’s time to admit failure. Having gone public via a reverse takeover SPAC, the firm … [continued]

Midjourney generated image of a passenger jet lying on the ground

ICCT’s Hydrogen For Aviation Perspective Is Deeply Wrong As Well

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) is a US-headquartered think tank with offices globally. It’s been around since 2001. It was founded with noble ideals and funding from progressive and climate-focused foundations including the Hewlett and Packard family foundations and the Energy Foundation. Its mission and vision is to … [continued]

Midjourney generated image of a container ship with batteries and plants

Oz Questions On Clean Aviation & Shipping: Smart Energy Council Presentation Q&A

The other day I had the opportunity to talk with a few hundred mostly Australian participants in a Smart Energy Council webinar. It was organized to exploit my unusual timezone alignment with Oz as I spend a few weeks in New Zealand as a digital nomad. Over 600 signed up, … [continued]