ChatGPT generated panoramic image of a COMAC C919 at a modern Chinese airport terminal, while several grounded Boeing 737 MAX jets sit behind a fence, unused
A COMAC C919 rolls to the end of the runway at Shanghai Pudong, a clean-lined aircraft shimmering in the haze as ground crews finish their checks. In the background, a row of pristine Boeing 737 MAX aircraft sit unused, tails high, their future uncertain. The scene is an imagined one, … [continued]
Donald Trump, in his glorious return to the Oval Office in January 2025, managed to do what no climate policy has achieved in decades: reduce transborder aviation emissions. Not by design, of course. He wouldn’t be caught dead attending a COP summit unless it was hosted at Mar-a-Lago and came … [continued]
A new showcase for green hydrogen fuel cell flight is taking shape, towards the goal of a nine-day, nonstop, zero emission flight around the world in 2028.
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
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"
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
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 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
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
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
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]
