Hoarding is exactly what the government is doing right now by filling the SPR, and frankly it's the best thing that could happen. It drives prices up. High prices encourage demand destruction. They also finance new well development. The hoarded oil gives us a buffer to fall back on once shortages become more prevalent. High prices are what we need in order to adapt to what's coming, and the sooner they happen, the better.
Joined: Sep 16, 2004 Posts: 4162 Location: Southwest WI
Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 7:17 pm Post subject: Airplanes slowing down to save fuel
Maybe AP knows about this?
Quote:
Southwest Airlines started flying slower about two months ago, and projects it will save $42 million in fuel this year by extending each flight by one to three minutes.
On one Northwest Airlines flight from Paris to Minneapolis earlier this week alone, flying slower saved 162 gallons of fuel, saving the airline $535. It added eight minutes to the flight, extending it to eight hours, 58 minutes.
I was behind a semi today going 60mph down the interstate.
Quote:
That meant flying at an average speed of 532 mph, down from the usual 542 mph.
"It's not a dramatic change," said Dave Fuller, director of flight operations at JetBlue, which began flying slower two years ago.
But the savings add up. JetBlue adds an average of just under two minutes to each flight, and saves about $13.6 million a year in jet fuel. Adding just four minutes to its flights to and from Hawaii saves Northwest Airlines $600,000 a year on those flights alone.
United Airlines has invested in flight planning software that helps pilots choose the best routes and speeds. In some cases, that means planes fly at lower speeds. United estimates the software will save it $20 million a year.
They can only go so slow or else they'll actually use more fuel. There is a "sweet spot" for speed.
Cool stuff. Sooner or later they'll run out of tricks.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24410809/ _________________ "Oil is going up because we use too much oil, and the capacity to replace reserves is dwindling"
-President Bush 11/07/07
Joined: Aug 17, 2005 Posts: 572 Location: Portugal
Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 4:25 pm Post subject: Re: Airplanes slowing down to save fuel
AirlinePilot wrote:
Southwest might have just recently started doing that, but the rest of us have been doing it for YEARS. No kidding.
Roger that. I've been in EU-US trips where the plane (747) could easily go 900 km/h but was cruising nice and steady at 750. This was back when oil was $30 a barrel....
Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: Airplanes slowing down to save fuel
Wait until they take the wings off and run them on the highway
for the short trips. This will allow them to save even more and
the rumor is, they will put an additional 3 honey roast peanuts
in every pouch and stop at Cracker Barrel for meals. The state
troopers will have a field day writing speeding tickets but I
imagine the flyboys will learn to convoy and suck Smokey's
hat off by revving the turbine when he approaches the
fuselage.
Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject: Re: Airplanes slowing down to save fuel
AirlinePilot wrote:
Southwest might have just recently started doing that, but the rest of us have been doing it for YEARS. No kidding.
Hi, AP, tell me - between GPS and precise fuel-flow measurements, is there any reason why an autopilot could not set the speed to achieve maximum fuel economy and adjust it real-time (like peak-power-point tracking in solar controllers) - or its that already a "button" you can push?
Also, do you know what the peak fuel efficiency speed would likely be for any of the planes you fly, or is it not that simple?
Thanks,
David _________________ Posted from a Solar/Pedal Powered Computer
Joined: Apr 05, 2005 Posts: 2297 Location: South of Atlanta
Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject: Re: Airplanes slowing down to save fuel
SolarDave wrote:
Hi, AP, tell me - between GPS and precise fuel-flow measurements, is there any reason why an autopilot could not set the speed to achieve maximum fuel economy and adjust it real-time (like peak-power-point tracking in solar controllers) - or its that already a "button" you can push?
Also, do you know what the peak fuel efficiency speed would likely be for any of the planes you fly, or is it not that simple?
The efficient "cruise control" your thinking of can work on the latest models, but older aircraft wont have the capability.
Its not something thats done yet though.
Most efficient speeds depend on weight, winds and weather, and weight and balance issues. They change significantly every flight.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
News
Discussions
Resources
Members
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
