Q&A
1. As an engineer, do you feel a sense of wonder when a new aircraft like the A350 takes off for the first time?
Yes: 71% No: 27% Don't know: 2%
It was a long time coming, but the Airbus A350 finally took to the skies last month, wowing crowds at the Paris Air Show. Do engineers feel a sense of wonder when they see a new aircraft in the skies for the first time? It seems that most do. Many readers commented that they feel a sense of wonder when they see any plane take-off, such is the astonishing level of technical complexity that underpins modern flight.
2. Does the high level of UK input on Airbus planes give you a greater sense of goodwill towards the company than, say, Boeing?
Yes: 80% No: 17% Don't know: 3%
A pretty resounding Yes vote, here. To take on the combined might of companies such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin from a standing start in a relatively short period of time was a notable achievement, it was felt. Readers also expressed a strong sense of pride about the pan-European stucture of Airbus.
3. In the light of the technical troubles that Boeing has had with its new 787, would you be happy to fly on that plane in the immediate future?
Yes: 72% No: 16% Don't know: 12%
The high-profile battery problems on the Boeing 787 have not spooked our readers. The vast majority said they would be happy to fly on the plane, trusting that Boeing and the safety authorities would ensure that it was airworthy. Many said that all new aircraft models had initial teething problems.
4. Do you think the aviation sector is doing enough to alleviate the environmental impact of flying?
Yes: 47% No: 37% Don't know: 16%
A close vote, here. The slightly greater numbers of Yes responders noted that the latest engines such as the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 were far more environmentally-friendly than older variants. And they said that, after all, aviation accounted for only a small percentage of global emissions.
5. Do you worry about the impact of your own air travel on the environment?
Yes: 36% No: 62% Don't know: 2%
Amost two-thirds said they didn’t worry about the impact of their own air travel. Two factors seemed to underpin this view. Some admitted that they were selfish – they didn’t concern themselves with their carbon footprint because it was comparatively small. Others said they didn’t worry because they had cut their air-miles to an absolute minimum.
6. Would you like to see taxes raised on regional aviation to dissuade people from using flights to travel within Great Britain?
Yes: 35% No: 60% Don't know: 5%
This question got readers hot under the collar. Most said No. And the overriding sentiment was that we already pay enough taxes and to push for more would be ridiculous. But there was a sizeable Yes vote who said that flying short distances around Britain was irresponsible.
7. Do you think a third runway should be built at Heathrow to meet capacity demands?
Yes: 43% No: 43% Don't know: 14%
These answers showed just what a difficult political decision the expansion of Heathrow will prove to be. The Yes and No votes were within 0.2 percentage points of each other. The arguments raged on both sides. No wonder any decision is likely to be left until after the next election.
8. Do you think we will see another supersonic aircraft like Concorde operating in your lifetime?
Yes: 24% No: 68% Don't know: 8%
There was a real sense of sadness that Concorde is no more. Few readers got to fly on the supersonic jet, presumably, but that doesn’t stop engineers from recalling it with fondness. And most think that we will not see its like again. Too expensive, too fuel-hungry and too elitist, said the comments.
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