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The effect of growth in stratospheric flight operations

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Abstract

Pollution of the stratosphere by aircraft is increasing because of the growth in air traffic and a general increase in aircraft cruise altitudes. This paper analyzes aircraft route frequencies on those routes where aircraft routinely fly above the tropopause, and estimates the fuel burned per year above the tropopause since 1960. Predictions to 1990 incorporate the increasing numbers of high-flying, wide-bodied subsonic aircraft, and the introduction of the civil supersonic transport. The factors which are important in quantifying stratospheric pollution are discussed. It is suggested that by 1990, within the rather large uncertainties inherent in these predictions, about 40% of the total fuel burned in the stratosphere could be by civil supersonic aircraft. From a breakdown of the various engine types in service, it is possible to estimate the nitrogen oxides emitted by aircraft. Nitrogen oxides emitted by civil supersonic aircraft in the stratosphere are estimated to be about 50% of the total by 1990, but because of the higher cruise altitudes of the supersonic fleet, the contribution from this source to the overall effects of these pollutants will be greater than that from subsonic aircraft.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Commercial Aircraft Division, British Aircraft Corporation Limited, BS99 7AR, Filton, Bristol, England

    B. E. Jocelyn, J. F. Leach & P. Wardman

Authors
  1. B. E. Jocelyn
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  2. J. F. Leach
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  3. P. Wardman
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Jocelyn, B.E., Leach, J.F. & Wardman, P. The effect of growth in stratospheric flight operations. Water Air Soil Pollut 2, 141–153 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00655693

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00655693

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