[whataretheysaying] Mary Madigan: Another reason to get serious about alternate energy

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Posted by Mary Madigan:
Another reason to get serious about alternate energy
http://whataretheysaying.powerblogs.com/posts/1194558475.shtml


   Via ABC News: [1]Danger in the Sky: Underfueled Planes *

     As oil prices soar, it may mean that some airlines may soon not be.
     United Airlines has announced it may have to ground 100 planes
     because gas has become so expensive.

     An investigation by WABC-NY reporter Jim Hoffer found that some
     airlines might be trying to cut costs by lightening the load and
     flying with less fuel. But that has put some flights and passengers
     at risk.

     An examination of thousands of airport operational logs, air
     traffic tapes and interviews with pilots and controllers reveal
     airlines may be pushing the margin of safety by cutting back on the
     amount of fuel per flight.

     At Newark Liberty International Airport, just five flights landed
     under minimum or low-fuel conditions over a six-month period in
     2005. In a similar period this year, 73 flights came into the same
     airport with minimum fuel.

     Perhaps most disturbing, an additional 10 flights had to declare
     the more serious emergency fuel situation - meaning they needed to
     land immediately or they risked running out of gas.

     Air traffic controller Ray Adams says in the last two years he's
     noticed an astounding increase in the number of flights coming into
     Newark under minimum or emergency fuel conditions.

     "When aircraft come into our airport at Newark with a minimum fuel
     state, they become a priority for us and it's an extra focus of
     attention on that aircraft, which increases the complexity of your
     already complex operation," Adams said.

     The Federal Aviation Administration requires airlines to carry
     additional fuel in case of unexpected delays, but pilots who spoke
     to WABC said some airlines are putting pressure on them to cut back
     on this fuel safety cushion to save money.

   * Link thanks to Bruce

References

   1. http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3837945&page=1