Green Taxi Revives eTaxi With FAA Backing

eTaxi is alive again! Here’s a brief customer presentation outlining the system and its operational impact.

PR: Green Taxi Aerospace announced today that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has concurred with the certification approach for its electric taxi system program, as submitted by Green Taxi Aerospace’s certification partner StandardAero. The FAA’s concurrence follows its review of Green Taxi Aerospace’s compliance checklist summary and FAA conformity plan. It also provides for the Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program to be
delegated to StandardAero’s ODA on behalf of Green Taxi Aerospace. StandardAero is supporting the development and execution of the certification program as Green Taxi Aerospace progresses toward STC approval.

Notes:

• This is a space that is well-worn with scant progress. Green Taxi has quietly built credibility in a market conditioned to doubt.
• Green Taxi is using the same ideas as the Honeywell/SAFRAN solution from years ago – the main landing gear.
• The predictable reasons for using etaxi are the same: noise reduction, fuel savings, and reduced FOD impact.
• Having Standard Aero as ODA means this solution is credible to the airline industry.
  • Delta Air Lines’ partnership with Green Taxi is a strong signal of approval.
  • FOMO guides us as to what happens next if there’s any progress. American and United will jump on this.
  • These three airlines operate the world’slargest regional fleet and are desperate for ways to cut their operating costs.
• Green Taxi is focusing on regional jets (good move) as they do the most turns/day and will see the highest benefits.
• Moreover, regional jets are “stuck” due to the myopic US Scope Clause and require external technologies to overcome some of those limits.

Bottom Line

Green Taxi has taken the steps to build credibility.  This worked in its favor as it had to overcome industry skepticism about eTaxi solutions. Airlines always go for the risk-reduction option, and among the options to date, Green Taxi appears to offer the lowest risk. The estimate of $300,000 in savings per aircraft is realistic – we’ve seen their math.  Given that the US has ~1,500 active regional jets, those savings signal a more than significant impact.

If successful, and the signs look good, Green Taxi is on to something.

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About The Author

Addison Schonland Partner

Co-Founder AirInsight. My previous life includes stints at Shell South Africa, CIC Research, and PA Consulting. Got bitten by the aviation bug and ended up an Avgeek. Then the data bug got me, making me a curious Avgeek seeking data-driven logic. Also, I appreciate conversations with smart people from whom I learn so much. Summary: I am very fortunate to work with and converse with great people.

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