New green technologies developed by NASA and the aviation industry will lead to quieter, cleaner, more efficient and safer aircraft, according to researchers and industry representatives who recently met at NASA’s Langley Research Center, in Hampton, Virginia. The Green Aviation technical meeting drew more than 100 people, who shared their insights and results from research. “What NASA is doing is very exciting, especially looking at the long-term view,” said Naveed Hussain, Boeing’s vice president of aeromechanical technology. “The goals NASA has outlined are ambitious. And that’s a good thing.” The gathering showcased results generated by a series of eight technology demonstrations conducted by NASA’s Environmentally Responsible Aviation project, which began in 2009 and wrapped up last year.
ERA’s projects included demonstrations of technologies that reduce aircraft drag through flow control, reduce weight with advanced composite materials, reduce fuel consumption and noise reduction with advanced engines, reduce emissions from improved engine combustors, and reduce fuel consumption and community noise through innovative airframe and engine integration designs. Those projects have led to continuing work in aircraft design and biofuels that NASA says will impact aviation in the future. Some of those ideas will be under discussion next month at the Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition, coming up June 13-17 in Washington, D.C. The theme of that event, which is open to the public, is “Concepts to Reality: Driving the Next Century of Flight Innovation.” The forum is organized by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
