The aircraft maintenance professional's source for technological advancements, maintenance alerts, news, articles, events, and careers
Issue link: http://amt.epubxp.com/i/904741
www.AviationPros.com 15 Recently I was able to see that Liebherr-Aerospace developed and is testing, among others, new electrically powered air management systems which don't need the precious turbine bleed-air and can pretty easily be retrofitted to existing airlines. ENERGY STORAGE Batteries are used in a limited amount in today's airplanes but their importance, the quantity and quality, is going to change in a radical and dramatic way in years to come. The batter- ies will be included in the aircraft of the future not only as a subsystem or actuator but will probably become their essential part possibly even as the primary energy source. For larger aircraft, Airbus see hybrid propulsion before going fully electric as the power-to-weight ratios for battery tech- nology are still a long way short of what is required. Current batteries are far too heavy to fly a large passenger aircraft. Having this in mind, battery research has the need of the biggest possible investment of any technology available in the world right now. ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS Aviation's environmental challenge is nothing new. In the past, the industry has been dismissive and defensive but the new technology and innovation are finally apparently delivering green shoots of sustainability. Some manufacturers dream of 80 percent lower carbon emissions for the first versions of the electric airplanes vs. conventional ones; this could possibly rise to 100 percent over time if battery densities improve. In all these discussions and predictions we have to con- sider something else, and this might not be so positive for us. Electrical energy is to be considered clean only if it is produced with renewable energy sources. Many of us have forgotten that this "green leaf" that electrical energy is wearing is not as green as we might imagine especially if it is being produced in powerplants where coal and oil are being burned. At Seal Aviation we repair fuel leaks the fi rst time, every time! That's why we offer a 181 Day Warranty on all of our leak repair work. We also offer: Non-Destructive Testing and Structural Repair support 24/7 anywhere in the world A rapid response team ready to deploy to your location for your AOG maintenance and emergencies FAA and EASA Certifi ed Repair Station 9JBR401B S.E.A.L. Aviation 1011 N.W. 51 St., Ft Lauderdale, FL 33309 www.SEALaviation.com | 954-492-3522 | sales@SEALaviation.com AviationPros.com/company/12347192 E-FLIGHT TECHNOLOGY was exhibited at the Paris Airshow. RONALD DONNER