Ingenieur Vol.81 January-March 2020 | Page 70

L E M B A GA JURUTERA MALAYSIA BOARD OF ENGINEERS MALAYSIA INGENIEUR Update on Previous Themes of The Ingenieur By Lim Tau Wee UPDATE THE INGENIEUR VOL.80 OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2019 KDN PP 11720/4/2013 (032270) MAGAZINE OF T HE BOARD O F ENGINEERS MALA Y S I A AERO&AVIATION I N D U S T R Y new jet that blends wings with body and has two rear-mounted engines. The demonstrator model’s sleek design is meant to reduce aerodynamic drag, and the manufacturer says it has the potential to cut fuel consumption by up to 20% compared to current single aisle aircraft. Swiss company Smartflyer is developing a hybrid-electric aircraft for four people and is aiming for a maiden flight in 2022. As well as reducing emissions, the aircraft is less noisy and cheaper to operate due in part to lower fuel costs. AERO & AVIATION INDUSTRY Aviation industry tries to go green (AFP) From an emissions-reducing model jet that looks like something from a sci-fi movie to electric aircraft and sustainable fuel, the aviation industry is ramping up efforts to go green as consumer pressure grows. In an era when teen climate activist Greta Thunberg opts to travel on an eco-friendly boat and “flight-shaming” is all the rage in her native Sweden, air travel’s reputation has never looked as dire. Aviation accounts for three percent of climatedamaging carbon emissions globally, according to the European Environment Agency, and the world is experiencing record heat waves, wildfires and storm surges made worse by rising seas. The aviation industry has pledged to reduce its net carbon emissions by 50% by 2050 compared with 2005 levels, and the British sector went further this month with a vow to achieve net zero emissions by the same date. At the Singapore Air Show, European plane maker Airbus unveiled a model of a futuristic MRO to be big contributor to Malaysia Aviation Group by 2025 (NST) Malaysia Airlines Bhd’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) unit is confident of becoming the third largest revenue contributor for its parent company, Malaysia Aviation Group, by 2025. Malaysia Airlines Chief Operating Officer said the MRO business was expected to increase tenfold to RM30 million by end of 2020, from the current contribution of RM3 million. Malaysia currently employs over 2,000 local staff comprising engineers and technicians for its MRO facility, servicing 70% of its own aircraft fleet (83 units) and 30% for third parties. The airline’s MRO utilises the aircraft maintenance operating system (AMOS) that measures end-to-end processes including tracking the inventory system, allocating manpower for a specific task and controlling work scope. Currently, Malaysia Airlines’ MRO facility is certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia and multiple foreign civil aviation authorities such as Singapore, Sri Lanka, European Union and United States. 68 VOL 81 JANUARY-MARCH 2020