"Another green initiative is ready for takeoff." Earlier today, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger greeted landmark United Airlines flight 870 from Sydney, Australia as it arrived at San Francisco International Airport.

Without the help of biofuels, the flight used new technologies to significantly reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. United Airlines is the first American carrier to engage in the Asia and South Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions (ASPIRE). Other participants include Qantas, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, Airservices Australia, Boeing, and Air New Zealand.

Today's flight saved 1,564 gallons of fuel and 32,656 pounds of carbon emissions. At an estimated cost of $3 per gallon, fuel savings of nearly $4700 are no small bag of change.

So just what are the changes that are making an impact? While not every flight is approved for the procedure, Tailored Arrivals guide planes through a continuous descent instead of a step-down approach. Estimated to save about 60 gallons of fuel over traditional methods, Tailored Arrivals use data link technology to determine a plane's optimal flight path. Air traffic, weather conditions, obstacles, environmental constraints, and aircraft performance are some of the factors taken into account.

The new technology allows for precise communication of clearance information between the on-flight computer and the FAA's ground system; making it happen then requires a single button push. Boeing claims that Tailored Arrivals offer a large reduction in noise and environmental impact, since the effort required by a plane's engines is severely diminished. Human voice and retyping errors are bypassed as well.

Six airlines currently conduct Tailored Arrivals. In the first six months of implementation, Boeing says three participating airlines were able to save approximately 343,000 lbs of fuel and 1.07 million pounds of carbon emissions.

In addition, up-to-the-minute fuel data and priority takeoff clearance facilitate conservation. If an airline can reduce time and fuel spent idling on the tarmac, it can haul less on its journey or pack extra cargo. Data link technology can communicate meteorological conditions and fuel use to ground controllers so that planes readying for takeoff can adjust fuel loads accordingly. While in flight, air traffic controllers and pilots can alter flight paths, uploading new plans with ease.

Governor Schwarzenegger was proud to have the groundbreaking flight land in California, citing his law and policy changes in favor of environmental protection. "Today's innovative green flight is another fantastic partnership to reduce our environmental footprint and it is perfect that it is landing here in the great state of California, where we have led the nation in fighting climate change. This amazing coordination on the international level shows the world that working together we can fly smart and move aviation into the future while curbing our greenhouse gas emissions."

Perhaps the members of ASPIRE can look forward to the implementation of biofuels for additional greening of the aviation industry. I'll be on the lookout.