On Tuesday May 24th, Green Taxi, Inc, (GTI) announced it has acquired an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) patent for its electric air taxi technology. The Dallas-based company noted that the addition of the patent to the company’s Electric Green Taxi System (EGTS) can significantly reduce fuel consumption. According to Flying Mag, Green Taxi has been working with companies such as L3 Technologies, Honeywell and Safran to develop the technology. Executives also announced the hiring of key staff involved in the project and the acquisition of intellectual property from L3 and Honeywell, Flying Mag reports.
Jet engines have 16 to 38 times the carbon dioxide output at idle than at takeoff thrust and the GTI system reduces these taxi emissions by 85 percent
David Valaer, Green Taxi president and founder
The Green Taxi System reduces aircraft fuel consumption and carbon emissions during ground operations by allowing aircraft to taxi without using their main jet engines. Electric motors located on the landing gear wheels powered by the existing Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) allows the plane to move forward or backwards with normal steering and braking by the pilot. Green Taxi is a breakthrough innovation reducing carbon footprint emissions, reducing fuel use, increasing brake life, improving on-time performance and other saving direct and indirect aircraft ground operating costs.
According to GTI, the average taxiing time for jet aircraft in the US ranges from 15 to 30 minutes, and it can account for 5 to 12 percent of an aircraft’s fuel consumption, depending on the aircraft type and duration of flight.
Green Taxi-equipped jetliners will save significant costs on reduced ground time apart from the fuel savings
David Valaer, Green Taxi president and founder
With operating costs and environmental initiatives at the top of aircraft operators concerns, the Green Taxi System provides a viable solution to achieve lower cost and greener operations. By adopting this new and innovative aircraft system, operators can save several hundred thousand dollars per aircraft per year and improve their bottom line while reducing the environmental impact of airport ground operations.
- Greener Operation: The electric Green Taxi system greatly reduces engine emissions, resulting in annual reduction of millions of tons of CO2, NOx emissions, lower carbon taxes and making significant progress in reaching “carbon neutral” corporate goals.
- Lower Fuel Burn: Jet engines are very inefficient on the ground at taxi settings. Taxi operations burn a significant amount of fuel, millions of tons of fuel per year, the Green Taxi System can result in savings exceeding 4% of total block fuel consumption.
- Improved On Time Performance: Aircraft equipped with the system will be able to “pushback and go” more quickly, reducing both gate and tarmac congestion, improving on-time departure performance and saving valuable time on the ground. The Green Taxi aircraft can taxi to the runway quietly for early morning departures and be first in line for takeoff.
- Added Value: System operation eliminates the need for aircraft push back and towing via tug tractor while also reducing brake wear, extending main engine life, enhancing ground crew safety, and reducing noise in the airport environment.
The innovative Green Taxi system delivers significant environmental benefits and greatly improves aircraft operating efficiency.
