METHOD FOR IMPROVING OVERALL AIRPORT AIR QUALITY DURING AIRCRAFT GROUND OPERATIONS

摘要

A method is provided for improving overall air quality at airports during ground operations that includes providing a plurality of aircraft landing and taking off from an airport with onboard drive means controllable to move the aircraft on the ground without reliance on aircraft main engines or external tow vehicles while significantly minimizing operating time of aircraft engines after landing and/or prior to takeoff. As the number of aircraft equipped with onboard drive means for ground movement increases, levels of undesirable engine exhaust components in airport exterior ambient air, in airport ground facilities interior air, and in geographical areas surrounding the airport decrease as a result of the replacement of both the aircraft engines and the operation of external tow vehicles by the onboard drive means. Aircraft engines are not started until the aircraft reaches a takeoff runway where engine exhaust emissions are more readily dissipated by the taxiing aircraft.