Fortunately, the aviation industry has become increasingly keen on mitigating its environmental impact, particularly by utilizing new-age technologies like the Internet of Things.
FREMONT, CA: Aviation is high on the list of innovations that have had a significant long-term impact on human lives. Air travel has been a vital element of human life since the Wright brother's first flight in 1903, altering how we conduct business, visit loved ones, and travel around the world. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization, aviation carries about 2 billion passengers annually and accounts for nearly 40 per cent of all interregional exports in terms of value. Furthermore, the sector employs 29 million people worldwide, with that number predicted to rise to 38 million by 2037. While planes contribute about 2.5 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, which rises to 3.5 per cent when non-CO2 sources of global warming are taken into consideration, only 11 per cent of the world's population travels by plane at least once a year. Furthermore, the most frequent flyers account for less than one per cent of the population but account for more than half of all air travel emissions.
In comparison to large polluters like power or road transport, aviation's impact on climate change is very minimal (3.5 per cent of global warming). Although renewable energy and electric vehicle technologies are rapidly improving, the aviation industry has struggled to develop viable solutions for addressing its carbon footprint. Hydrogen fuel cells are a fascinating innovation, but it's uncertain when or even if they'll ever be available.
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Although the path to sustainable aviation is uncertain, firms can still make short-term advantages while investing in long-term improvements by squeezing out efficiency. The Internet of Things is one of the most promising instruments for this work. As the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies become more common in people's daily lives and sectors, aviation has become more aware of the potential they provide, particularly in terms of sustainability.
● Aircraft weight reduction
One of the most important performance measures for fuel efficiency is aircraft weight. The lighter a plane is, the less fuel it requires to fly and the lower its carbon footprint. IoT can help reduce aircraft weight by providing real-time data about the weight and distribution of an aircraft, which can be used to make informed decisions about how to decrease the load. If sensors indicate that the plane is carrying more goods than is necessary, for example, the airline can change its loading operation accordingly.
● Increasing aerodynamic efficiency
Another significant element in fuel use is drag. The less fuel an aeroplane needs to fly, the more aerodynamic it is. Again, the Internet of Things can assist by supplying data that manufacturers can utilise to improve the aerodynamic performance of a plane. Air pressure and temperature can be tracked in real-time using connected sensors dispersed around a plane. Designers can use this information to better understand how air moves around the aircraft and devise new strategies to reduce drag.
● Improving the maintenance
Modern planes include a plethora of sensors that collect data on the performance of each critical system. However, this information is frequently retained onboard and retrieved only after the plane has landed, providing controllers with an out-of-date image of the aircraft's status. Connected IoT sensors can collect and communicate performance and maintenance data to the ground in real-time, allowing maintenance staff to keep track of aircraft in real-time and spot even the slightest inefficiencies. That way, they may address any issues before they cause major interruptions.
● Route optimization
A flight plan is the first step in each commercial trip. The flight plan guarantees that the plane complies with all operating regulations for the flight, provides sufficient information to the crew to ensure safety and allows for easier coordination with air traffic control. Weather and air traffic sensor data in real-time can assist operators in determining the most efficient routes and creating more dynamic flight plans. Using IoT to track wind speed and direction in real-time, for example, can assist a plane in determining the most effective path to its destination, saving time and fuel.
The Internet of Things (IoT) provides several intriguing ideas for making air travel more sustainable. The aviation industry can already take advantage of IoT technologies to improve flight weight management, aerodynamics, proactive maintenance, route optimization, and automated air traffic control. It is undoubtedly to witness even more imaginative applications for making air travel more sustainable as IoT technology improves and becomes more widely used.
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