Money for Research Could Prove Helpful for Those Aiming to Shut Down Airports

The FAA has granted $27.2 million to 11 universities across the US under its Aviation Sustainability Center program.

The awards will be matched in-kind by a range of partners with a 1:1 grant as a sort of cost sharing agreement. Under the program, a spectrum of next-gen aviation developments, technologies, and advancements will be targeted. Sadly not all of them will be absolute boons to those in the industry, with some topics that could be weaponized in ongoing battles to close regional airports. Issues like air quality, noise, and the health effects of aviation noise will be studied at Boston University. MIT will handle emissions, contrails, noise, SAF logistics, hydrogen propulsion, commercial space emissions, and electrification assessments. Penn State will go for noise measurement, supersonic propulsion, fuel efficiency, and engine tech. The rest of the list reads fairly similar to that, with a large bent towards fuels, SAF, noise, and emissions.

“The work of these teams is a cornerstone of the FAA’s sustainability efforts,”said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. “The entire aviation industry can leverage this research to reduce noise and enable safe and efficient operations while working toward net-zero emissions by 2050.”

“The FAA has invested more than $155 million in grant funds since the ASCENT research effort began and the work has driven forward our environmental effort significantly,” said Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs, and Environment Laurence Wildgoose. “As a result of ASCENT research, four new procedures have been implemented at Boston Logan International Airport to reduce noise impacts on surrounding communities."

FMI: www.faa.gov