Aviation's Effect On Environment to be Discussed Nov. 6-8

WACO, Texas - The impact of aircraft emissions on urban areas and the emerging consensus that greenhouse gases must be stabilized on an international level will be discussed in detail at the Second International Conference on Alternative Aviation Fuels, scheduled for Nov. 6-8, at Baylor University.
The conference is sponsored by Baylor's Department of Aviation Sciences, the Federal Aviation Administration, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the U.S. Department of Energy and Texas State Technical College.
According to Dr. Max Shauck, chair of Baylor's Department of Aviation Sciences and conference coordinator, the conference is being held at a critical time for the aviation industry. Lead will be phased out of aviation gasoline by the year 2002; pollution from commercial airlines is increasing as air traffic grows exponentially; and the need to limit the steady rise in greenhouse gases is becoming an international requirement.
In addition to discussions on the impact of aviation emissions on the environment, the conference will cover topics such as research on unleaded aviation fuel, developments in engine and alternative fuel technologies, aviation engine emissions, marketing opportunities for alternative fuel and the Clean Airports program.
"Baylor's work in coordinating the U.S. Clean Airports program included the use of alternative fuels in aircraft and ground support vehicles as well as educational programs on these subjects," said Shauck. "Highly talented and experienced aviation oriented people from Canada, Brazil, Italy, France, Germany, England, Australia and Sweden will attend the conference, and we want to take advantage of this talent to develop a concept paper that will set the stage for an expanded and internationally oriented Clean Airports program. This program would put airports in the forefront of efforts to enhance the environment and stabilize greenhouse gas emissions."

Speakers for the conference include Roger Smith, chief test pilot for NASA; Paul McCready, president of AeroVironment; Randall Friedl of NASA's jet propulsion laboratory; Plinio Nastari of the World Energy Council; Ken Knopp of the FAA; Joe Valentine of the fuels and lubricants technology department at Texaco; and many others. Representatives from nine countries also will participate in the conference.
A highlight of the conference will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, when various types of aircraft that rely on alternative fuels will take to the skies in the Alternative Fuels Aviation Air Show.
Conference registration is underway with a fee of $300 for private industry representatives and $225 for government and university personnel. The air show is free and open to the public. Conference panel discussions and lectures will be held in the Barfield Drawing Room at the Bill Daniel Student Center on the Baylor campus. The air show will be held at Texas State Technical College (off Airline Drive, past 7th Street, near the green and gold test stand building).
For more information, contact Shauck at (254) 710-3563