Impact of Climate Change on Aeronautics and Aviation

The history of aeronautics and the development of commercial aircraft is extremely related to climate facts. As an example, mono-wing metallic aircraft were preferred to airships in the past century for many reasons, one being the possibility of pressurizing the cabin, making a flight at high altitudes possible. Nowadays, climate change is not only driving new design perspectives but also has a role in aviation business and economics. Climate change is increasing global-mean tropospheric temperatures, but the localized trends are uneven. The wind speeds are also being modified, both at the surface and aloft. Furthermore, we experience more and more severe fluctuations and extreme weather. These effects are known to have a role on increased take-off distances where excess runway lengths exist and reduced payloads where they do not, increased en-route flight times, and increased frequency and severity of encounters with clear air turbulence in some regions. Also, climate changes push wildlife activity modifications in some regions that are shifting locations of fight safety hazards, with increased burdens upon airports and associated infrastructure. A multi-disciplinary research effort by scientists, meteorologists, climatologists, and engineers is now needed to understand better the impacts of the changing climate on the entire aviation system, including aircraft and infrastructure. In this scenario, space activities may have a disruptive role.