TonyK
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The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #30 on: February 15, 2020, 22:02:49 » |
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Airbus have breathed new life into the A330 with the "neo" (new engine option), which is basically a re-engined, more fuel-efficient evolution. It's been quite successful. It doesn't have the legs of the A350, but perfectly good for flights up to about 10 hours, which is why Virgin (for example) have ordered both - the A330 neo's to replace their current A330 "ceo's" (current engine option).
The A330 also forms the basis of the Voyager* aircraft, used by the RAF▸ for a variety of roles, including troop and VIP transport, refuelling, and mobile hospital. I was lucky enough to get a ride on one. The view from the window is more interesting than on most flights. (*The aircraft are comfortable, fast, and do not smell of badly serviced toilet. They should not be confused with the train of the same name.)
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Bmblbzzz
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« Reply #31 on: June 10, 2021, 14:52:01 » |
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Bristol Airport is a business. Those Canadian teachers are no fools. They invested in a reasonably good airport and have spent a lot of money on getting more out of their investment. They are very proud of that in Ontario, my friend, a retired principal who follows events closely, tells me.
By chance, I've heard that the Ontario Teachers Pension Fund have just bought a big agribusiness conglomerate in the Goulburn [?sp] Valley of Australia. They own a lot of things in a lot of places and I don't think they're just for teachers nowadays!
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Waiting at Pilning for the midnight sleeper to Prague.
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broadgage
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« Reply #32 on: October 26, 2021, 16:51:06 » |
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This report states that the only realistic way to reduce carbon dioxide from aviation is to fly less. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59045851No amount of tinkering at the edges by slightly more efficient air aircraft, or adding a little veg oil to the fuel will significantly reduce emissions. Neither will counting on future developments reduce emissions in the here and now. If flying is to be reduced, then we dont need more airport capacity at Bristol, Heathrow, or anywhere else.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard. It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc. A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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TonyK
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Posts: 6438
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #33 on: October 26, 2021, 23:22:51 » |
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If flying is to be reduced, then we dont need more airport capacity at Bristol, Heathrow, or anywhere else.
It isn't going to be reduced. More people want to fly for business or leisure than are prepared to sellotape themselves to an aircraft, and get banged up for doing so. They just don't make as much noise. The argument against Bristol Airport should not be confused with the argument against flying per se, and won't be by the inspector. His remit is planning law and government policy, and if he thinks the airport has a good case against those yardsticks, he will find in their favour. That won't necessarily be the end of the matter, but he might think the argument of cutting emissions to travel to get on the plane pans out in real maths. You may think adding a little veg oil is tinkering, but once the Ontario Teachers Pension and World Domination Fund starts producing entirely green aviation fuel from genetically modified crops grown on its Australian farms, there will be no argument against flying. Not that that will stop some people. Aviation has come a very long way in little over a century, and there is no reason to think the journey is finished. The picture in the report is, I think, taken from inside a Boeing 787. Competition between them and Airbus is reducing fuel consumption per passenger mile, and will continue to do so. You will remember the days when we could buy indulgences by paying for a tree to be planted in memory of our week's self catering in Benidorm. Then we found out that the Scottish government was chopping them down to build wind farms, and Drax was importing even more to burn in its inferno. It never did more than make the few people who fell for the hype feel a little better. Expanding Bristol airport's operations might do some actual good if it stops travel to other airports to catch flights. And if flying does fall and they are stuck with an empty shiny new terminal, then we can say that there never was a need for it, and Ontario pensioners can take the hit. (I know two retired teachers in Ontario. Retired teachers here would envy them.)
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« Last Edit: October 26, 2021, 23:31:35 by TonyK »
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ellendune
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« Reply #34 on: October 27, 2021, 07:36:19 » |
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You may think adding a little veg oil is tinkering, but once the Ontario Teachers Pension and World Domination Fund starts producing entirely green aviation fuel from genetically modified crops grown on its Australian farms, there will be no argument against flying.
So we use agricultural land to allow people to fly rather than feeding people. Not a good look if as predicted the known amount of climate change causes food shortages in some parts of the world.
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Red Squirrel
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There are some who call me... Tim
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« Reply #35 on: October 27, 2021, 12:03:55 » |
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Those green aeroplanes have a long way to go...
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Things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.
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broadgage
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« Reply #36 on: October 27, 2021, 12:49:22 » |
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I very much doubt that vegetable derived oil will permit of green flying.
Firstly it needs to be produced without significant fossil fuel input. No diesel tractors used in cultivation, no natural gas derived fertilser used on the crop, no gas or coal used in the works that process the fuel.
And secondly, even if such fuel does become available, it should be used FIRSTLY for essential purposes such as emergency services vehicles, food production and transport, shipping, and existing public transport.
Only after such high priority applications have been greened should passenger flights be considered.
Meanwhile in the here and now, the only way to reduce carbon dioxide from flying is to reduce flying. Tax aviation to the same extent as road fuel. Prohibit any advertising or promotion of air travel. End all grants and subsidies to airlines, airports and related enterprises.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard. It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc. A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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broadgage
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« Reply #37 on: October 27, 2021, 13:26:02 » |
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Those green aeroplanes have a long way to go... Agreed. Not only do trains come out best, but reducing the carbon emissions of trains is relatively simple. Electrification is a mature technology and available right now. No need for hugely expensive research into things not yet invented, simply get on and electrify major rail routes with existing and readily available technology. Use battery power as a second choice when OHLE is not suitable. A greater proportion of electricity, whether for railway traction current or for more general uses, should be produced renewably. This also needs no expensive research. Simply get on and do it. Wind turbines and solar energy are mature technologies and available right now. No sensible person expects large long haul electric passenger aircraft, it simply cant be done with available or reasonably foreseable technology.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard. It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc. A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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TonyK
Global Moderator
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Posts: 6438
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #38 on: October 27, 2021, 13:33:29 » |
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So we use agricultural land to allow people to fly rather than feeding people. Not a good look if as predicted the known amount of climate change causes food shortages in some parts of the world.
It makes as much sense as the many fields around Devon growing maize to throw into anaerobic digesters to generate subsidies green electricity while we continue to import food that can be grow at home. Thankfully, being Canadian, they will probably repurpose an old coal mine or open cast iron pit, rather than use existing agricultural land. It is also possible that I let my imagination get the better of me, again. In other news, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has just announce a cut in the aviation passenger duty levied on internal flights, and an extension of state help for regional airports. Those green aeroplanes have a long way to go... Should soon pass private cars, I reckon. May even gave done so already, given the introduction of newer engines since 2018.
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« Last Edit: October 27, 2021, 13:39:37 by TonyK »
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grahame
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« Reply #39 on: October 27, 2021, 13:37:05 » |
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In other news, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has just announce a cut in the aviation passenger duty levied on internal flights, and an extension of state help for regional airports.
How is that green, or is he about to announce an even greater cut in train fares ... driving private to public (air) to public (rail)?
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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Red Squirrel
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There are some who call me... Tim
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« Reply #40 on: October 27, 2021, 13:46:21 » |
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Should soon pass private cars, I reckon. May even gave done so already, given the introduction of newer engines since 2018.
Doesn't seem likely, given the rate of growth of electric car sales. IEA, Global electric car stock, 2010-2019, IEA, Paris https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/charts/global-electric-car-stock-2010-2019
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Things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then they happen faster than you thought they could.
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TonyK
Global Moderator
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Posts: 6438
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #41 on: October 27, 2021, 13:51:00 » |
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In other news, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has just announce a cut in the aviation passenger duty levied on internal flights, and an extension of state help for regional airports.
How is that green, or is he about to announce an even greater cut in train fares ... driving private to public (air) to public (rail)? I don't think he said it was green, but if burning American wood pellets is green, it probably is green. I'm sure the explanation will be with us soon. It isn't with immediate effect anyway, so if you were thinking of flying to Glasgow to lobby the COP26 people, you will still have to pay the full current rate.
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broadgage
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« Reply #42 on: October 27, 2021, 14:30:10 » |
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In other news, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has just announce a cut in the aviation passenger duty levied on internal flights, and an extension of state help for regional airports.
How is that green, or is he about to announce an even greater cut in train fares ... driving private to public (air) to public (rail)? So much for greening the economy. Subsidies for regional airports, will encourage more use thereof and increase carbon emissions. Cut in air passenger duty, to reduce airline fares and encourage more flying. Meanwhile petrol is at about the same cash price as it was ten years ago, and therefore much cheaper if compared to inflation or wages. Train fares increase every year. It almost looks like a long term policy to encourage driving and flying and to discourage rail travel.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard. It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc. A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6438
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #43 on: October 27, 2021, 15:16:04 » |
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So much for greening the economy.
Be fair, broadgage. The spin doctors haven't had a go at this yet. They're not so green as they're cabbage looking.* (* I don't understand it either. I'm from Lancashire.)
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broadgage
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« Reply #44 on: October 27, 2021, 16:38:19 » |
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I think that "cabbage looking" is an old and potentially insulting term for a person with severe mental or physical disability. As in "just sits or lies there like a cabbage" not capable of much thought or movement.
A London gangster saying was "to cabbage someone" meaning a beating or assault that was not fatal, but that caused serious disability.
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« Last Edit: October 27, 2021, 17:05:27 by Red Squirrel »
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard. It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc. A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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