Airbus tests new fuel saving procedure

A recent test involving two Airbus jets has proven that a new procedure that will allow charges of altitude at cruise levels could save precious fuel on long haul flights. One of the jets that carried out the CRISTAL ITP test was a passenger plane flying over Iceland, and reports say the test was very successful. Airbus executive Thomas Fixy said, “From operational perspectives, there was good acceptance (of the results of the test) by controllers and pilots. We believe we can achieve a timely implementation of this procedure … We are quite optimistic it will be implemented around 2010 operationally over the North Atlantic.”

The reason such maneuvers like changing altitude to take advantage of wind are not currently employed is that oceanic airspace is not within the range of radar. So once a plane is out of radar range, it must stick to its predetermined course to avoid any possible collision. The new satellite system used in the tests will change all that, and a more fuel-efficient air space above the oceans will result.