Our Actions

Clean Getaway

Forgoing a fuel-filter change on a jetliner as big as the 777 may, by itself, seem to be a small step in reducing waste and helping the environment.

Yet a team of environmentally engaged employees, which has combined this small step with nine other actions, is having a big impact in making 777 flight tests and deliveries cleaner, quieter and easier on the environment.

“We wanted to reduce the environmental impact of the 777 preflight and delivery process, which includes activities such as painting and engine testing,” explained Carolyn Barnes, 777 Operations support. 

The team designed ten environmental initiatives that are reducing fuel use by 300,000 gallons (1.14 million liters) and carbon dioxide output by 5.5 million pounds (2.5 million kilograms) annually on 777 deliveries, along with achieving other environmental improvements.

The environmental initiatives include

• Using chrome-free paint primer, cutting down on hazardous materials and boosting the safety of crews.
• Eliminating redundant engine testing and reducing community noise and emissions.
• Retaining the hydraulic and engine fuel filters used in flight test. Engineers demonstrated that the filters did not need to be changed before aircraft delivery, reducing the amount of hazardous waste generated.
• Recycling left-over jet fuel used in flight tests.
• Improving flight-test planning, boosting efficiency and reducing flight times and fuel consumption.
• Using electric instead of gas-powered vehicles on the flight line.
• Reducing the amount of potable water needed in flight test.
• Promoting greater flight line and paint hangar recycling.

The team chose a “pilot” 777-300ER (Extended Range) to test all of the initiatives together and received permission from customer Air New Zealand to implement all the initiatives in the preflight and delivery process. Now, most of these steps are routinely implemented during all 777 deliveries with the use of chrome-free primer, a customer option.