Eric Bachelet is president and chief executive officer of CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company of Snecma, the French aero engine manufacturer and General Electric Company. Bachelet joined Snecma in 1971 after graduating from the prestigious L”Ecole des Mines de Paris. He also holds a master”s degree in Materials Science from Case Western Reserve University in the United States. He assumed his current role on 1September 2005. CFM is by far the world”s largest supplier of engines for single aisle aircraft.Aviation and the Environment: Facing the challenges ahead
The increased focus on climate change worldwide is also focusing more attention on the aviation industry and its impact on the environment.
The fact is that, overall, aviation accounts for only about 2% of global carbon (CO2) emissions, which are thought to be responsible for global warming. Despite high anticipated growth rates, the industry”s share of emissions will remain small, only about 3% of total emissions by the year 2050.
Even though our industry is not the principal source of emissions, we as engine manufacturers take the issue of climate change very seriously and continue to make significant investments in technology that will help reduce this impact even further.
In the 1990s, European airlines were faced with tough local environmental regulations, specifically on nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, which are suspected of depleting the ozone layer.
In response, CFM introduced double annular combustor technology as an option on some of our products. This technology reduced NOx emissions by nearly 75% compared to previous technology, enabling these airlines to meet the most stringent limitations.
Earlier this year, CFM introduced Tech Insertion for the CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines (for Air A320 series), which includes technology improvements to the standard combustor to reduce NOx emissions. As a result, these engines will meet the new International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Committee of Aviation Environmental Protection emissions standards (CAEP /6) scheduled to take effect in 2008.
CO2 emissions have now taken centre stage. These emissions are directly tied to engine fuel burn: one pound of fuel burned creates three pounds of carbon.
Between 1960 and 2000, engine technology led to a 70% reduction of aircraft fuel consumption.
As restrictions increase, though, we need to invest even more. In 2005, CFM launched its LEAP56 technology acquisition programme for the future CFM56 engine family.
One of the goals of this programme is to reduce engine specific fuel consumption by about 15% compared to today”s engines, which would equate to a reduction in CO2 emissions by the same 15%.
To put that into perspective, for a ten-aircraft fleet, this improvement in CO2 emissions is equivalent to planting 6,800 acres of trees every year.
But we can”t forget about oxides of nitrogen emissions. We believe we need to achieve an additional 50% reduction from today”s levels.
We also need to focus on reducing noise levels and are targeting a reduction of ten to 15 decibels compared to the current regulation. This is no small task.
A noise improvement of this magnitude equates to making a jackhammer operate as quietly as alarm clock.
The technology challenges are significant, but so is our commitment.
Simply put, we as an industry must help manage the resources of our planet to help ensure that it remains an enjoyable place to live for future generations.
Our responsibility stems directly from our collective success as an industry in bringing people together from all continents and, increasingly, from all walks of life.
We owe it to our ultimate customers, the passengers, and to the public at large, to get it right.