Is There A Better Way To Power Airplanes?

Jet planes rely heavily on jet fuel, which is costly and polluting. Alternatives like coal, wood, and batteries lack the energy density needed for long flights, while gaseous fuels require bulky storage. Diesel and gasoline pose safety risks, and nuclear fuels are too hazardous. Synthetic jet fuel offers a promising alternative, matching the energy of conventional fuel with less pollution, but remains expensive due to production challenges. Scaling up synthetic fuel production to match conventional fuel's cost-effectiveness is a significant hurdle.

Why is jet fuel considered essential for long-haul flights?

• It is the only fuel that can be used in airplanes.

• It is the cheapest fuel available.

• It is environmentally friendly.

• It has a high specific energy, providing a lot of energy for its weight.

What is a major drawback of using gaseous fuels like hydrogen for aviation?

• They are not available in sufficient quantities.

• They are not energetic enough.

• They require large, heavy storage containers.

• They are too expensive to produce.

Why are diesel and gasoline not suitable as alternatives to jet fuel?

• They are too expensive.

• They congeal or catch fire too easily.

• They are too heavy to be used in airplanes.

• They are not energetic enough.

What is a key advantage of synthetic jet fuel over conventional jet fuel?

• It requires no changes to current airplane designs.

• It is already widely used in the industry.

• It causes less pollution.

• It is cheaper to produce.

What is a significant challenge in making synthetic jet fuel a viable alternative?

• Finding a way to produce it without any pollution.

• Developing new airplane designs to accommodate it.

• Scaling up production to make it as cheap as conventional jet fuel.

• Convincing airlines to switch to it.