The air transport has been one of the major growing industries in many countries. In recent decades, there has been a growing tendency of affiliating air transport to the state government rather than the private sector. That is, the government is the majority shareholder in the air transport industries making the companies liable to the state as parastatals. The primary reason for the government taking up such ownership steps in the air transport is the knowledge and appreciation that this type of traffic has a big effect on the environment. Specifically, the main effect of air transport to the community is noise and air pollution emitted by airplanes as they cross the sky.
First and foremost, air pollution is a major problem emanating from aircraft due to the emission of smoke from their engines. Most recent planes use petroleum fuel that is perilous to the environment. Burning fuel form the planes not only releases the harmful fuel but also carbon compounds into the atmosphere (Miller et al., 2012). Due to the growth in the aviation industry, there is the rampant production of planes that primarily use petroleum fuel. Eventually, the plane fumes produced by the planes accumulate in the air forming a dangerous cover. It leads to the effect of global warming (Miller et al., 2012).
Secondly, air transport has also led to noise pollution that affects the communities that live around the airports. The airplanes produce tremendous noise when they take off and when they land. Apart from that, the construction of airport transport results in the displacement of people in the areas close to the designated airport construction sites. The government acquires such proximal land to create enough space for the future expansion of the airport (Spitz et al., 2012). Nevertheless, the air transport has also had positive impacts to the community. It creates a lot of job opportunities to the immediate community. In addition, its efficient and effective infrastructure facilitates the growth and expansion of the country’s economy.
On the brighter side, there are numerous studies that seek to explore the alternatives to the ordinary aviation fuel in a bid to elucidate the negative impacts of the air transport. The ACRP 60 report outlines several recommendations on the possible measures in the evaluation for the alternative aviation fuel (Spitz et al., 2012). Furthermore, there are a lot of benefits associated with the use of the alternative fuel. From an economic view, it is way cheaper compared to the petroleum fuel. The ACRP 60 explains the process of storage and distribution of such fuel. The article further gives the type and features of alternative fuel (Spitz et al., 2012).
Additionally, production of alternative oil will result in regional economic benefits and the realization of environmental sustainable elucidations (Spitz et al., 2012). For that reason, the government is reluctant to give airport ownership to the private sector. However, the government gives the private sectors a chance to manage the airports as they possess the requisite talents in management as well as capital (Morser et al., 2011).
Describe the steps along the supply chain for aviation fuel production. What problems do you think each step of the supply chain process could pose for the airport operator?
- Feed tocks: – it includes fossil fuels and bio-derived as the main sources of the alternative fuel’s raw material. This step would cause a problem of price escalation to airport operators because of supply and demand control price.
- Production facility – this refers to the equipment machinery used to convert raw material to alternative fuel. The production facility efficacy can affect the quality and supply of fuel hence affecting the airport operator.
- Dedicated alternative jet fuel transport – This is the movement of the refined feedstock to the required areas. The transport of fuel affects the supply and therefore would affect the operators of the airports.
- Conventional jet fuel – this is not a step but an additional product to make the alternative fuel.
- Blending location – this also a place where mixing of refined oil with jet fuel additives to make alternative fuel.
- Conventional storage – the process of keeping the produced alternative oil for future usage. The storage of fuel also affects the airport operators as it ensures steady supply.
- Airport and end users – this is the place where the fuel is actually put to use.
What are six factors to consider in the pre-assessment of implementation readiness?
- Alternative fuel type
- Safety
- Environmental goals.
- Logistics.
- Business case.
- Overall evaluation.
Identify why each of the factors are important to consider prior to implementing an alternative aviation fuel program?
- Alternative fuel type: – used to determine what feedstock and processing technology can be implemented at the site.
- Safety: – Used to determine if the alternative fuel has been endorsed for use on aircraft and prevailing jet fuel infrastructure.
- Environmental goals: – Used to decide how the environmental attributes of the Alternative can be utilized to meet ones goals.
- Logistics: – This process is used to determine how the alternative fuel will be conveyed to the airport at no or minimal incremental cost.
- Business case: – determines how public and private sector programs can be utilized to strengthen the project.
- Overall evaluation: – Are Used in order to ensure that one is satisfied with the answers above.
Why would you need to consider stakeholders in the pre-assessment analyses?
One would need to consider stakeholders in the pre-assessment analysis because they are the actual people to execute each process in the production of alternative fuel. They should be considered because they are the main players in the alternative fuel production.
References
Miller, B., National Research Council (U.S.)., Airport Cooperative Research Program., & United States. (2012). Guidelines for integrating alternative jet fuel into the airport setting. Washington, D.C: Transportation Research Board.
Morser, F., Soucacos, P., Hileman, J., Donohoo-Vallett, P. E., Webb, S., National Research Council (U.S.)., Airport Cooperative Research Program.,… Environmental Consulting Group. (2011). Handbook for analyzing the costs and benefits of alternative aviation turbine engine fuels at airports. Washington, D.C: Transportation Research Board.
Spitz, W., Morser, F., Miller, B., Hileman, J., & National Research Council (U.S.). (2012).Aviation Fuel Costs and Alternatives. Washington, D.C: Transportation Research Board.