Are Fuel Efficient Jets Possible?

According to Bombardier, a Canadian company the produces trains and plains it is possible. The regional C series jet is designed to be more fuel efficient. They claim that it will use 20% less fuel than any other aircraft in its class. A remarkable claim; it is also said that the jet is quieter then most which is another benefit to this new aircraft.

Bombardier has been a manufacturer of planes and trains for years and this new jet will open about 2500 new manufacturing jobs in Canada. The majority of the assembly will be done in Mirabel Quebec which is good for the Canadian economy. Bombardier has up to five potential customers seeking a total of 200 of these aircraft.

This is very good for Canadians, now we don't have to head west for better paying jobs, some of those better paying jobs will be closer than they were before. The rivalry between central Canada and western Canada will continue, but at least it will bolster support for our economy to keep our dollar strong on foreign exchange markets. Now if only our government would consider replacing our aging F-18's. Preferably with a Canadian build fighter. Hmm....

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News Source: Bombardier announces new fuel-efficient regional jet

Cleaner Skies

I just read one of the best news articles I've seen in a while. Hydrogen is a very simple element but the diversity of applications for hydrogen are numerous; for example hydrogen can now be used for flight. I know that balloons and airships in the past have been using hydrogen to stay aloft but this is an entirely different application. In this application, Boeing has test flown a single engine plane powered by a hydrogen fuel cell and the three test flights confirm that Eco-friendly planes are on the horizon. There were only three twenty minute flights of the aircraft; but those three flight represents a tangible future for Eco-friendly avionics. The best part about these test flights is that they were manned flights requiring an actual pilot to fly the aircraft.

The best thing about hydrogen powered flight is that it greatly reduces the amount of greenhouse gases put directly in our atmosphere. I certainly hope that there will be more development in fuel cell technology especially in the air transport industry. Reducing our dependency on fossil fuels for transport will inevitably reduce our carbon footprint on our environment which will benefit not just Canadians but everybody around the globe.

As for how this would affect Canadians, well I can only guess. But having airplanes powered by renewable and environmentally friendly fuel would only benefit everyone by reducing hydrocarbon emissions and possibly reducing the cost of air fare. I am certainly not an expert but fuel cell technology is worth exploring more of the possible uses. We all would be able to breathe a little easier with less greenhouse gases in the air. Thats my opinion, what do you think?

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News Article: Hydrogen-powered airplane takes flight: Boeing

Open Skies = Greater Competition

Just today there was an interesting article about opening up the skies. As of Sunday airline companies based in the European Union can now fly from the Americas to a country other than the country of their origin. This will probably bring more volume and quite possibly cheaper tickets. Usually the case is when supply increases fares go down.

In the same article there was also a recommendation for Canadian airlines. Canada's Competition Bureau has pressed Ottawa to be a little more lax in the ownership restrictions on Canadian airline companies. This would encourage more competition in the market and benefit all Canadians.

As for what this means for Canadians; well we could be seeing some cheaper airfare to Europe. We could also see more competition for flights within Canada. With more competitive markets we could start to see lower airfares making travel more affordable. Well that was just my opinion; what's yours?

News Story: Open Skies agreement to spur 'new era' in transatlantic flight
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