By ANGELA CHARLTON, Associated Press, June 20, 2007

LE BOURGET, France — Boeing, Airbus, and dozens of airlines that fly their jets are jumping on the environmental bandwagon, touting “green” technology at the Paris Air Show and pledging to spew less noxious fumes into the planet’s skies.

So far, though, growth in worldwide air travel is outpacing industry progress in reducing aircraft emissions. And it was chiefly high fuel costs and fear of government-regulated emissions cuts _ not concerns about global warming _ that inspired the sector’s efforts to pollute less.

Air travel is growing at about 7 percent each year, according to industry trade groups. Meanwhile, technological developments are boosting airplanes’ fuel efficiency by about 1 to 2 percent a year. Also, since airlines keep aircraft for decades, tomorrow’s “clean planes” will be flying alongside fuel-guzzling craft of a generation ago.

Environmental groups say the only solution is to fly less _ an alternative no one at the air show was eager to discuss.

“Not flying is simply not an option,” said Airbus chief operating officer, Fabrice Bregier.

Instead, manufacturers are racing to make engines that burn less fuel more slowly, experimenting with ways to dilute fuel and reduce leakage, and trimming weight of hulking jets by using lighter composites instead of standard steel.

Read the whole AP story on www.chron.com.

Scuderi Technology Applicable for Airplane Engines

In November 2006, the Scuderi Group secured patents for what promises to be the world’s first air-hybrid internal combustion airplane engine.

The engine recaptures and stores energy in the form of compressed air. Through its design, the Scuderi Air-Hybrid Airplane Engine can recapture energy normally lost during cruising and deacceleration at landings.

Read more about Scuderi airplane engine technology on airhybridblog.com.