fuel economy

[spotty4]

I was reading (yet another) Patrick Smith article and found this little blurb interesting ...

In the United States, a round-trip domestic journey of four hours' duration will consume somewhere around 3,000 gallons of jet fuel. The typical airplane on that route has about 160 seats and, using industry-average load factors, will be about 80 percent full. Thus each passenger is responsible for 23 gallons, give or take a few.

The next time someone tries to tell you that your husband/SO is responsible for a huge carbon foot print, show them this!

A flight of 4 hours probably equates to about a 3-day's drive, for an ambitious driver. Lets assume an aircraft that has the potential to carry 160 pax cruises at 500 kts (of course, take off and approach speeds are slower). 500 kts = 575 mph. Over 4 hours the distance covered is 2300 miles. Do you know of any car that can cover 2300 miles on just 23 gallons!?

My car, Pontiac Vibe, has a 12 gallon tank. I can get 400 miles out of each tank. Over the course of 2300 miles I will have burned through 69 gallons of gasoline (5.75 fill ups). Only if I bring w/ me 2 other people will the gallons per passenger equate to that of the plane (23). So when traveling alone, not only will an aircraft save you time and possibly money, it will also minimize your carbon footprint. Why won't Sierra Club grab onto THAT!?

(bring it on christykay! Like katbuad, I've got too much time on my hands :-P)

[UKcats06]

On a side note, I was watching some stupid reality show and they said that one private jet flight is the equivalent of driving a hummer for a year. So celebrities drive their hybrids, then fly on their private jets, and use more fuel that way! Flying commericial is WAY more fuel efficent (which I think we all pretty much figured!)

[CLErocks]

I just read an article last week, about how Paul McCartney got a bunch of flack because he was given a hybrid lexus but had it flown to him.

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by spotty4

Why won't Sierra Club grab onto THAT!?

probably because the chemicals used and/or caused by creating an airplane and everything the plane needs to operate (including fuel etc) creates an even higher carbon footprint.

Can't just take fuel into account, gotta also take the energy, pollution and chemicals needed to make up what uses the fuel to get a full take on carbon footprinting.

ie: hybrid cars aren't really that great...they may save on gas and may lower your carbon footprint based on gas alone but the pollution involved in *creating* the vehicle is what makes it not even a "green" machine. essentially, the whole thing ends up equating to a regular fuel guzzling car. unbelievable but true.

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by CLErocks

I just read an article last week, about how Paul McCartney got a bunch of flack because he was given a hybrid lexus but had it flown to him.

I heard he *gave* a bunch of flak because of how it was shipped to him. he was expecting it to come by boat.

[spotty4]

Originally Posted by Kristie

ie: hybrid cars aren't really that great...they may save on gas and may lower your carbon footprint based on gas alone but the pollution involved in *creating* the vehicle is what makes it not even a "green" machine. essentially, the whole thing ends up equating to a regular fuel guzzling car. unbelievable but true.

Yup, the battery in many hybrid cars is incredibly damaging to the environment. Not the battery itself, but the processes required to produce the battery. Just ask anyone in Sudbury, Ontario, where the plant is that manufactures the battery.

The Recorder

[Mrs.Alchemist]

Originally Posted by UKcats06

Flying commericial is WAY more fuel efficent

Especially when you can non-rev! There's no way that driving makes any kind of sense! Now, I just need to find a flight to my work...

[Londoner]

Just out of interest - is there now more interest in the US in fuel efficient cars? In the UK, we generally drive cars with smaller engines anyhow (my car is a 1.5 diesel). Is that something you're seeing more?

[UKcats06]

Originally Posted by Mrs.Alchemist

Especially when you can non-rev! There's no way that driving makes any kind of sense! Now, I just need to find a flight to my work...

Exactly! When we were living in Lexington we flew to Cincinnati when we were looking for a house up there. Its a big 20 minute flight, but it was going anyway, so we just hitched a ride with them and saved some gas!

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by Londoner

Just out of interest - is there now more interest in the US in fuel efficient cars? In the UK, we generally drive cars with smaller engines anyhow (my car is a 1.5 diesel). Is that something you're seeing more?

There has always been major interest in more fuel efficient cars...it's the govt that's stopping the whole thing.

I'd LOVE to get something that spits 50mpg...but the big oil lovers (esp el presidente) won't have anything to do with it