Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction (ECER) Trip to the US
This first Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) high level training for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction (ECER) was conducted from May 21 to June 6 in the three cities of Seattle, Houston and Washington DC. Besides the US Trade and Development Agency and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 11 Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) members also co-sponsored this program. They were American Airlines, Boeing, Continental/United Airlines, Embry Riddle, FedEx, GE, Honeywell, Houston Airport System, ICF, and Pratt & Whitney.
Aviation ECER is one of the topics drawing substantial international attention today. ECER is the foundation for operation efficiency, cost reduction, management improvement and overall aviation development. As such, ECER is an important action to build a resource-saving and environmentally friendly aviation industry.
The ACP and CAAC Planning Department began its cooperative efforts in ECER in 2006. As two countries experiencing rapid development and offering large scale funding for civil aviation projects, China and America have a solid foundation and unique perspective in the cooperation in ECER.
In late 2009, both sides committed to organize high level training for CAAC deputy director generals (DDG), CAAC regional administration, Air Traffic Management Bureau administration, and vice presidents of airlines and airports. The purpose of the ECER training is to expose CAAC to American practices, technology, management, regulations and policies, as well as to assist CAAC in finding common and sustainable transportation solutions. The CAAC has expressed interest in new US technologies, procedures and concepts in the fields of aircraft and engine design, aircraft operations, and air traffic management and infrastructure, which increase system efficiency while decreasing energy use and carbon footprints.
Such training could pave the way for more direct talks between CAAC and FAA on the EU Emissions Trading System and could facilitate further cooperation between China and US, while assisting ACP member businesses with CAAC regulations.
The training received high-level attention from civil aviation leaders of both countries. Before leaving to the US, CAAC Deputy Administrator Wang Changshun gave an opening speech in the Civil Aviation University of China. In Washington DC, FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Huerta welcomed the Chinese delegates, and Julie Oettinger, assistant administrator of FAA for Policy, International Affairs and Environment, invited a few of Chinese delegates for lunch and listened to DDG Ji Yuan’s presentation. In Houston, the director of Houston Airport System (HAS) welcomed Chinese delegates and the Vice Major attended the dinner hosted by HAS.
Chinese delegates expressed satisfaction with the ECER training program. In the survey completed by delegates, they reported that the briefings and tours expanded their understanding of the importance of energy conservation, as well as current and emerging technology to support and expand industry initiatives in this area. One participant noted that “it opened my mind.” And several delegates stated that the program was “a good start for cooperation.”