Fuel savings ‘Pathfinders’ plan to broaden impact with AF-wide summit

Published Feb. 15, 2011
By 1st Lt. Kathleen Ferrero
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The Air Force's fuel efficiency "Pathfinders" plan to host their first service-wide Aviation Operations Energy Steering Group summit at Scott AFB on Feb. 16 and 17.

All Air Force major commands were invited to attend the summit. The event will be the first major meeting across the MAJCOMs, hosted by members of the AMC Fuel Efficiency Office, who plan to discuss ideas and lessons learned with counterparts.

"We've been designated the 'champion' by the folks at Headquarters Air Force for aviation operations fuel efficiency," said Col. Kevin Trayer, AMC Fuel Efficiency Office deputy director. "We think a lot of what's being done here [AMC] can translate into other commands."

Since 2008, AMC has saved $83 million in aviation fuel costs through fuel conservation efforts, said Col. Bobby Fowler, FEO director.

The FEO was chartered in such a way that Mobility Air Forces could learn from fuel efficiency achievements in the civilian industry. Reservists who also work as airline pilots - such as Colonel Trayer - bring valuable insight to the Air Force fuel conservation effort.

"We've flown in an environment where energy is a consideration in everything we've done, because it directly affects the bottom line," Colonel Trayer said. "So, to transition that experience and put it inside the paradigm of military aviation - it's been a challenge, but it's also shown great benefit," he said.

One of the lessons learned from the commercial industry is that tracking fuel efficiency data is vital. This tracking is critical to any fuel efficiency program and will be needed in most Air Force major commands.

The Web-based Fuel Tracker they implemented was among the first AMC FEO initiatives.
During a mission, aircrew members gather critical information for the database. The Tracker serves as a major source of the necessary data for AMC's program, and is a stop gap manual effort while AMC works to enhance its Aircraft Communication and Reporting System (ACARS), which will provide the required data automatically.

While AMC understands manual reporting is not the desired end state for data collection, it does serve the purpose of focusing the crews on their use of aviation fuel, which assists the command in attaining the culture change necessary for long-term success.

Another AMC FEO initiative that might resonate with other major commands is working with Air Force Material Command to pursue new technologies, such as upgraded or new engines for older airframes, and staying on top of Federal Aviation Administration initiatives.

One of the FAA's new mantras as they bring on new technologies is "Better Equipped is Better Served," Colonel Fowler said.

"(Airlines) are going out and looking at the things FAA is requiring for future aviation to bring on what's now called NextGen, where I can truly navigate on my own to get from point A to point B without the current airspace limitations, so I can pick the most fuel efficient route to get there," the FEO director said.

Fuel Efficiency Officer Lt. Col. Eric Lepchenske, who is also a Reservist and airline pilot, added, "NextGen is both an opportunity and a possible pitfall for the MAF, because those who do not equip their airplanes end up with what's left from an airspace perspective.

"If we delay implementation of these important modifications to our fleet, the possible savings to be gained from NextGen become a bill to pay as we are relegated to less efficient altitudes and flight routings," Colonel Lepchenske said.

Colonel Fowler said, "The FEO is conducting a business case analysis to determine what the cost to equip mobility aircraft to fly in that airspace will be, versus the cost of being relegated to flying undesirable flight profiles."

The office is also engaging with the FAA on the future concept of optimum profile descents.

"Traditionally, at a busy airport like Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., airplanes arrive from any direction, and a controller on the ground will sequence them into a kind of box and put them in line," said Colonel Lepchenske. "As more airplanes show up, the line gets longer, and delays occur.

"What they've done now is helped automate some of that by using a computer to predict when some of those guys are going to hit certain points in the airspace," Colonel Lepchenske said. "Then there's one descent profile to the active runway that everyone will use."

Regardless of the economic opportunities of fuel efficiency, one common goal will trump discussion of fuel savings during the summit.

While the airline industry's bottom line is profit, the Air Force's bottom line is how to best serve the warfighter. It's a mission for which Mobility Airmen, among others, were recently commended by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in a letter.

"You are the muscle that moves, sustains, builds, and heals our Nation's most precious resource - the men and women of our Armed Forces," the letter states.

"We will do whatever it takes to support the warfighter, no matter what," Colonel Fowler said. "It is about getting the Soldier what he needs in the most effective manner possible."

"I've been on the (operations) floor ... when there is a life-threatening injury, just one individual, over in theater that needs to get to Brooks (Army Medical Center)," Colonel Trayer said. "And literally, we will drop everything to make that happen.

"We get the job done, and that will never change."