The battery powered electric commuters have finally embraced the  skies.

Yuneec E430 - First Electric Airplane to go Into Commercial Production

Yuneec E430 is a name you will remember for entering the history books as the first electric airplane to be commercially produced. While the giant airplanes will still fly on battery packs, Yuneec E430 a two seater light-sport aircraft (LSA) is making an appearance at the 2009 EAA Air Venture Oshkosh prior to being mass produced.

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Here’s another new discovery towards the green revolution! Rolls Royce has come up with a brilliant modified version of an open rotor propeller plane installed with a less noise making engine as opposed to its original loud engine.

The engine has been tested with results showing a remarkable cut down on greenhouse gas emissions to 30% and also a great save on fuel costs as compared to the modern turbo jet engines.

Although CO2 from airplanes is barely 2-3% of the total global emissions, the rate of travel has gone up by 6-7% with the airline travel efficiency making improvements of only 1% a year. As solar planes are not being thought upon in the near future, the propeller plane is a feasible option for increasing travel efficiency and cutting down on fuel consumption.

Apart from Rolls Royce, General Electric, Pratt & Whitney and Snecma are also venturing upon the open rotor propeller plane. – via GreenDaily

Image courtesy of Moritz Josch

If this i’s true, more and more Americans may not be able to afford plane travel before long.

With oil prices soaring and the prices breaking record after record – $139.12, do I hear $140? How about $150?, the airline companies are taking crazy measures to make sure they’re not going bankrupt. With prices having tripled in the last eight years and analysts predicting $150 per barrel by the 4th of July, it may not be the best industry to be involved in at the moment.

Delta already charges $25 for phone reservations and American Airlines plans to take $15 for each bag checked-in.

But, the fact that airlines are going to charge people more money for being fat is not fair.

Southwest Airlines already charges overweight people for 2 seats if they’re unable to lower the armrest between their seat and the next one. However, actually requiring passengers to step on a scale before boarding and asking for some extra cash if they weigh more than their neighbor is an insult.

What’s next? Charging more for those with long legs or women that have had breast implants? Can you be charged for being too sexy?

We’d definitely like to hear your story/opinion!

Original image at bradleywindy