A pilot's perspective.I have read your recent coverage of aviation's contribution to global pollution ("Flying the Dirty Skies," Currents, September/October 2004). Being a private pilot myself, I can admit it's not the cleanest. I happen to know the fuel I put into an everyday, common Cessna 172 Skyhawk is called "100LL" the LL referring to "low lead." Low, but it is still there, and it is even more "there" in the other two primary varieties of aviation fuel (though 100LL and let are most common). Lead was finally removed from automotive fuel years ago (thankfully thank·ful adj. 1. Aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful. 2. Expressive of gratitude: a thankful smile. , since it has contributed to something like 90 percent of environmental lead pollution), but lead is still in airplane airplane, aeroplane, or aircraft, heavier-than-air vehicle, mechanically driven and fitted with fixed wings that support it in flight through the dynamic action of the air. gas. I think, though, you might've missed the mark on suggesting higher taxes to attempt to get the industry to conserve fuel. For general aviation at least (the vast numbers of single-engine, four-seat aircraft out there, and even a massive number of heavy twin engines), the best choice would be modernization modernization Transformation of a society from a rural and agrarian condition to a secular, urban, and industrial one. It is closely linked with industrialization. As societies modernize, the individual becomes increasingly important, gradually replacing the family, . You'd be amazed a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. at the antique equipment used in aircraft. Yes, yes, we've got fancy global positioning and other devices that can help us put down on the ground within a mere yards margin of error, but what's under the cowling is an engine that's less sophisticated than a 1973 Corvette corvette, small warship, classed between a frigate and a sloop-of-war. Corvettes usually were flush-decked and carried fewer than 28 guns. They were widely employed in escorting convoys and attacking merchant ships during the great naval wars of the late 18th and I had not too long ago, or for that matter, an old 1953 pickup Pickup A gain in yield made by selling one bond and buying another. Also referred to as "yield pickup." Notes: When the present yield is relatively low compared to the longer-term yields, pickups will be done by investors trying to increase the yield and duration of their . If updated to use a cleaner fuel, such as even automotive fuel, or perhaps biodiesel, or, in the future, hydrogen--with a little kick from a turbocharger--the pollution could be vastly reduced. Anyway, a pilot's two cents. Oh, and with all that lead that's potentially floating around an airport, I wouldn't let kids get too friendly with the plane, especially around the fuel overflow valves or the caps. Michael Ringold via e-mail |
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