In this guide, we will look at the environmental impact of light aircraft flying and how we can minimise it for a better future.
Technological and industrial advances have helped humanity progress to where it is today, but it seems that the cost of this advancement has been in terms of the environment.
Global warming is quickly becoming a critical problem due to the excess production of greenhouse gases. It is estimated that around 2.5% of emissions come from aviation alone and if we take into account the gasses and vapour trails, then the industry could be responsible for up to 5% of global warming.
This is quite an alarming percentage but fortunately, there have been several advances and policy changes in aviation that directly address the carbon emissions caused by aviation.
In this guide, we will look at the environmental impact of light aircraft flying and how we can minimise it for a better future.
Greenhouse Effect and Aviation
Our world consists of an amazing biosphere that is powered by the sun. In normal conditions, the sun's rays cross through the atmosphere and impact the ground, which warms it up. Any excess heat is then transferred back into space. This has been the core heating mechanism of our planet for millennia and although the earth has had ice ages and varying temperatures, we are only now starting to see a drastic change in global temperatures – and most of this is due to greenhouse gases.
In simple terms, greenhouse gases remain in our atmosphere and create an invisible blanket that keeps the excess heat from escaping from our atmosphere. In this scenario, when sunlight (solar radiation) hits our atmosphere, it warms up the earth, but this time, instead of a regulation of temperature, the heat remains trapped in the atmosphere. This increases the global temperature significantly!
An increase in greenhouse gasses has resulted in a steady increase in global temperatures which has impacted global weather systems and is also responsible for the melting of various glaciers. A change in global weather systems can result in storms that are of higher intensity, and at the same time droughts that last longer. In other words, scientists expect global warming to cost not just in monetary terms, but also in the context of human lives.
There are several industries that contribute to different types of greenhouse gases. However, in the context of aviation, these gasses may have a slightly more impact. The truth is, while many industries that rely on fossil fuels contribute to greenhouse emissions, the gasses produced by the aviation industry are usually deposited at high altitudes – and the concern isn’t just for Carbon Dioxide emissions either. Several types of gasses can emit from aircraft. Let’s go through some of them:
CO2 – Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide has been known as one of the primary culprits for greenhouse gases. Unfortunately, CO2 is also the primary greenhouse gas that is produced by various aircraft.
Carbon dioxide is released as gasoline or jet fuel is burned high up in the atmosphere. The problem is that carbon dioxide is a notorious gas with a long life. So instead of slowly dissipating, CO2 remains in the atmosphere for a long time which further adds to the greenhouse effect.
N2O – Nitrous Oxide
If you think carbon dioxide is bad for the environment, then wait till you see the devastating effects of N2O. Nitrous Oxide is produced via high-temperature combustion inside aircraft engines.
N2O is known to be a much more potent greenhouse gas that is even worse than CO2. In other words, nitrous oxide deposited at high altitudes has a much more significant impact on global warming than just carbon dioxide.
Other Gasses and Vapours
Other gasses like Methane also have an impact on global warming. While the aviation industry does not produce that much methane (CH4), when combined with other gasses, it contributes to the problem as well.
Another interesting factor here is water vapour. If you are wondering how water vapour can contribute to global warming then the answer is, not directly. When water vapour is produced via combustion, it is released high into the atmosphere where it can indirectly contribute to the greenhouse effect by producing or enhancing the formation of clouds which also trap heat in the atmosphere.
Minimising the Effects and Damage
When we talk about aviation contributing to global warming, it is important that we make the distinction between commercial and light aircraft. Studies have shown that the majority of gasses from this industry come from commercial aircraft operations which are significantly larger than the uses of light aircraft.
Most people use light aircraft for leisure flying or for training to become pilots – but make no mistake, light aircraft are also responsible for most of the gasses that we have discussed above. The fact is that minimising greenhouse gas emissions can go a long way so every effort will count.
Light aircraft are also responsible for other types of environmental impacts too such as noise pollution and even habitat disturbances. Here are some of the factors involved in minimising the overall environmental impact of these aircraft:
Increasing Efficiency – Reducing Emissions
One of the primary ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to increase efficiency in all factors related to flight. For example, increasing fuel efficiency by opting for fuel-efficient aircraft or aircraft with advanced fuel systems can significantly help in cutting down the environmental impact of light aircraft.
Engineers are currently working on a range of engine advancements that are centred around high efficiency and low impact. Electric planes are an excellent example of this. Electric engines are slowly taking over modern transportation and we might see a leap in this technology for aircraft too.
Engineers and scientists are also working on better fuel alternatives to reduce the impact of greenhouse gasses. The fact is, that even with alternatives, aircraft will still produce some level of greenhouse gasses, but at least they won’t be as long-lasting as the gasses produced by conventional fuel.
While the scientific community works on better battery technology for electric engines, we will have to settle for these fuel alternatives to lower the impact of both light and commercial aircraft. A big part of going with electric aircraft is that they will also cut down on noise pollution and they will also be extremely efficient, making each flight less costly to the environment.
Choosing Sustainability
Sustainability seems to be the corporate motto for many companies and luckily, the aviation industry is also following suit! Sustainability is one of the key factors that can directly impact our environment for the better.
Since the industrial revolution, businesses and operations have progressed at an outstanding pace, but with this progress, there has been quite a lot of environmental damage.
Thanks to public concern and the shifting of global business practices, we are now entering a sustainability-centric era of business. Almost every big company has invested in a sustainability plan that is centred around improving the environment. Fortunately, the aviation industry has also taken notice of this and is pledging to create better policies to make less of an impact on the environment.
The important thing to understand is that aviation operations can’t be minimised. Since the world depends on this industry for transport, it is nearly impossible to lessen even an iota of the scheduled flights. However, we can still use a few sustainable practices like shifting to alternative fuels, using solar-powered aircraft for training, and other factors that can contribute to less greenhouse gas emissions.
While electric technology catches up, the aviation industry is focused on increasing route efficiency which can significantly minimise fuel consumption and, in turn, greenhouse gas emissions.
In the same manner, aircraft maintenance is also being prioritised which can further help in cutting down emissions. An aircraft that is not operating at optimal performance is bound to create more greenhouse gasses than an engine that is well-maintained and efficient.
Raising Awareness and Policy/Regulations
If we want to make an impact on the environment and create a lasting change then we must start with the basics. Pilots need to be trained on the various sustainability practices from the get-go.
Back in the old days, pilot training only focused on flying an aircraft and other related factors such as meteorology, but as the aviation industry progressed, so did the training programmes.
By training pilots on sustainable operations, the aviation industry may be able to further cut back on greenhouse gas emissions, as this training might directly have an impact on flying practices.
Furthermore, the aviation industry also needs to make a significant effort in communicating these changes and commitments to the public. There is a growing number of people who are against modern aviation practices which some people believe has impacted the prestige of being a pilot. However, by committing to positively changing the environment, the aviation industry may be able to win over the public as well.
The government must also play an equally important role in this regard. By implementing pro-environment policies and by incentivising sustainable operations, the aviation industry may be able to grow in the right direction.
In the same manner, setting universal emission standards is also another excellent way to drive down greenhouse gas emissions. If there is a standard set for aircraft engines, then manufacturers will be forced to design better engines, and both light and commercial aircraft may be able to generate fewer gasses.
The Role of Flight Schools
Flight schools are becoming increasingly popular since more and more people are now looking to invest in a pilot license. Another reason for this popularity is that getting a license now is much easier than before! Thanks to the advent of capable flight schools, everyday folks can learn how to fly light aircraft and even train to become commercial pilots much quicker than before.
Light aircraft are a great choice for many hobbyists. To fly a light aircraft, you will need to have a Private Pilot License, a type of license that has less rigorous requirements compared to a Commercial Pilot License. Obtaining a private license is the quickest way to step inside the cockpit which is why it is such a popular choice for many aviation enthusiasts.
However, this popularity also comes at a cost. Since there are more people entering aviation, there is bound to also be an increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to the increased use of light aircraft. This is why flight schools should be the first line of defence for the environment.
As mentioned above, the best way to promote sustainability is to raise awareness for it – and what better way to do it than at a flight school? Flight schools must train their faculty on improving and adjusting their training programmes to make room for topics related to sustainability. Teaching young pilots about sustainable flying practices can go a very long way since these candidates are bound to either become private light aircraft pilots or commercial pilots.
Flight schools can also adopt more sustainability measures to decrease their carbon footprint. Simple tasks such as regulating electricity usage on-premises or increasing the quality of aircraft maintenance can make a huge impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Flight schools like Sherburn Aero Club, have highly trained and experienced instructors that are committed to not just training the pilots, but also to training them to become responsible aviators.
Please keep in mind that while being a pilot is a prestigious profession and title, it also comes with a range of responsibilities. Pilots are usually held to high expectations and if you want to be the best, then you will also have to adopt an environmentally friendly approach towards aviation.
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB
Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs. It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.
If you wish to begin your career in aviation or wish to take to the skies as a hobby, Sherburn’s flight training school offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
For those who wish to experience the thrill of a flight for fun or to help fuel their aviation dreams, Sherburn offers experience flights for the newbie, as well as the veteran in various types of light aircraft.
The flight experience option is also available for people who wish to take to the skies for special occasions, even if they aren’t into aviation in the long run.
With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, we cater to brand-new flyers who have just started their journey to the skies, as well as seasoned flyers who have been operating aircraft for decades.
Sherburn offers a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running the first Sunday of every month.
In addition to that, if you are looking for a hangarage for your own aircraft, need servicing or repairs, want to buy a new aircraft or aviation equipment, or are just looking to enjoy and watch the aircraft, Sherburn Aero Club is the place to be.
Call us at 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on light aircraft, training requirements, licencing procedures, as well as experience flights and pilot training at Sherburn.
Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash
