Estimating Emissions of Harmful Exhaust Components by Aircraft Engines During the Takeoff and Landing Cycle in Airport Space

Abstract

Abstract This article examines, based on the available information and authors’ self-assessments, the environmental impact of turbine engine exhaust gases effect on the environment in the airport space during engines flight phases in the landing and takeoff cycle (LTO). The attention of aviation professionals is drawn to the fact that the amount of exhaust from the turbine engine is so significant that it may adversely change the ambient air at the airport. Consequently, increased emission level of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) during engine start-up and idle may pose a threat to the health of ramp staff. Also, high emission levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) during takeoff, climb, cruise and descent is not without importance for the environment around the airport space. The paper gives CO2, HC, CO and NOx emission estimations based on ICAO Engine Emission Data Bank and the number of passenger operations at a medium-sized airport. It also provides calculation results of aircraft CO2, HC, CO and NOx emission using average times of aircraft maneuvers taken from aircraft Flight Data Recorder (FDR) in the LTO cycle various aircraft types at the airport. The latter, based on actual maneuvering times, lead to significantly reduced estimates of toxic exhaust gas emission volumes.