The challenges of the impact of aviation on the environment are closely related to the quality of life and sustainable development necessary for securing a clean environment for the future generations.
“Continuous Descent Approach” Procedure
TAROM is one of the first to initiate the pilot-project “Continuous Descent Approach” (CDA): a brand new landing procedure aimed at reducing fuel consumption.
CDA replaces the conventional stair-step landing procedure, reducing both emissions during glide-path and noise impact (noise of aircraft). The pilot-phase of this project involved TAROM aircrafts Airbus A318.
Assessment of the results of the project in progress developed in cooperation with AIRBUS and the Research Centre for Aviation and the Environment based in Manchester (Great Britain) shows a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions up to 350 kg per flight. TAROM is currently working to optimize the landing trajectory in CDA and obtaining an even greater reduction of oil consumption and CO2 emissions.
“Single Engine Taxi” Procedure
Moreover, TAROM is pending implementation of the “Single Engine Taxi” Procedure according to which the aircraft can stop one engine until parking, after landing, to reduce consumption while taxiing.
The procedure is already used for TAROM aircraft A318 and ATR and this procedure is currently being implemented on BOEING aircraft from TAROM fleet. This procedure is shown to reduce noxious aircraft emissions by 0.4%.
Winglet System
TAROM installed the Winglet System on Boeing 737- 700 aircraft from company fleet. These devices reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 3% and the noise impact by 6.5%. The Winglet System is installed at the wingtips and reduces the drag increasing the performance of the aircraft.
The winglets have a tremendous success due to the fact that they bring huge benefits for the airlines on a so far unmatched scale in the history of aviation.
The Winglet System has the following benefits:
- Increased cruise speed with reduced fuel consumption;
- Increased range, making possible operation on new destinations located further away;
- Reduced operating costs on existing routes (between 3% and 4%, depending on the length of the route);
- Optimized wing with reduced wingtip vortices during flight;
- Improved take-off and landing performance, allowing pilots to use take-off procedures that minimize wear on engines reducing maintenance costs;
- reduce the negative impact on the environment.