In this episode, we talk to Brian Moran, Chief Sustainability Officer at Boeing, who shares the company’s multifaceted approach to decarbonising the aviation industry, focusing on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), innovative technologies, and the importance of regaining trust in the wake of its recent crisis.
Moran discusses Boeing’s Cascade model, an open-source dynamic data modelling tool developed in partnership with MIT, Cambridge, IATA, and NASA, which helps stakeholders make informed decisions about the relative impact of different decarbonisation strategies. He also delves into Boeing’s role in advancing SAF, from de-risking the technology through test flights and research to committing to delivering 100% SAF-compatible aircraft by 2030.
Further, Moran highlights Boeing’s investments in future technologies, such as the electric propulsion flight demonstrator (EPFD) project with NASA and GE Aerospace, and the X-66 demonstrator aircraft featuring a transonic truss-braced wing. He also discusses the company’s involvement in the eVTOL space through their wholly-owned subsidiary Wisk, and how the lessons learned from this venture can be applied to the larger Boeing ecosystem. Moran also acknowledges the challenges Boeing has faced in recent years and emphasises the interconnectedness of safety and sustainability. He views Boeing’s current situation as an opportunity for open, transparent dialogue about the company’s shortcomings and remedial actions.
If you LOVED this episode, you’ll also love the conversation we had with Sheila Remes, Boeing’s VP of Environmental Sustainability, who shares how the airframer is collaborating with industry stakeholders to move aviation towards its 2050 net zero goal. Check it out here.
Learn more about the innovators who are navigating the industry’s challenges to make sustainable aviation a reality, in our new book ‘Sustainability in the Air’. Click here to learn more.
Feel free to reach out via email to podcast@simpliflying.com. For more content on sustainable aviation, visit our website green.simpliflying.com and join the movement. It’s about time.
Links & More:
Sustainability - Boeing
At Boeing, it’s a battle to win back airlines’ trust - Times of India
Boeing makes its largest purchase of blended sustainable aviation fuel - Boeing
Electric Skies: Boeing joins GE and NASA’s hybrid electric flight project - GE Aerospace News
Virgin Atlantic jet lands after maiden transatlantic flight on low-carbon fuel - Reuters
How Boeing has been working on a net zero future for over a decade - SimpliFlying
Sustainability In The Air