| Global warming has become a hot topic in the last | | | | Companies such as Rolls Royce and General |
| ten years. One of the biggest attention grabbers | | | | Electric have been striving to increase the |
| in this topic has been the automotive industry. | | | | efficiency of airline engines for years. Not only are |
| Cars and trucks are to blame for an enormous | | | | the engines in question, but the general design of |
| portion of the global output of green house gases; | | | | the aircraft. Many airliners have begun |
| however, these cars and trucks move the most | | | | implementing changes in the design of their |
| people and most weight of cargo. Air travel is | | | | aircraft to increase efficiency. Even a little |
| nothing new, but at an efficiency standpoint, it is | | | | attachment on the side of the wing that requires |
| much more so than cars and trucks. In fact, | | | | no expensive or extensive construction has |
| airplanes expend about 85% of their total fuel for | | | | increased stability and efficiency by several |
| the flight during take-off. Airplanes are extremely | | | | percent. You may see these attachments already |
| efficient while at cruising altitude, in part from the | | | | today on a variety of different airliners. |
| altitude affecting the way the fuel is burnt off for | | | | As mentioned earlier, the higher the altitude the |
| energy. | | | | better the fuel is expelled into the engine and thus |
| Airlines are still pushing for more efficient and | | | | gaining more power with less fuel. Most airplanes |
| greener engines ever since the airline industry has | | | | cruise at roughly 35,000 feet above sea level, but |
| been steadily slipping since 2001. With the high | | | | the FAA has allowed several different types of |
| cost of oil and gasoline, this notion is all the more | | | | aircraft to cruise at over 40,000 feet above sea |
| relevant as well. Mass transit has seen increases | | | | level to increase engine efficiency. |
| of usage ever since the hike in gasoline prices. Not | | | | Being environmentally conservative often does |
| only is it more affordable for those that need to | | | | not require a whole lot of work. Airlines have |
| travel, but it is also coincidentally more | | | | been doing their part to push the limits of |
| environmentally friendly. Think of it on the ground. | | | | efficiency, despite the fact they are already more |
| A typical city bus can transport over 40 people at | | | | efficient as transporting millions of people and |
| full capacity. Now break down this bus and you | | | | millions of pounds of freight everyday than most |
| have roughly 40 vehicles operating, all going the | | | | methods in existence. Flying is not only the |
| same direction. Of course the mass transit | | | | fastest method of reaching your destination, but |
| system is more efficient. Airplanes work in this | | | | apart from walking, it is already the most |
| same fashion. | | | | efficient. |