Nowadays, air transport is in an intense development phase. In order to optimize air communication and make it even more economical and environmentally friendly, attempts are made to undertake such activities as, e.g., SESAR project, which aims to develop and implement a modern ATM system. One of the parts of this project is the research on minimizing fuel consumption and emissions of pollu-tants in the engine exhausts. In the paper there is therefore presented the methodology for determining emission of those pollutants for the longest stage of the flight – the cruise phase. First, the value of the thrust required for the flight of an exemplary aircraft was deter-mined, and then the values of the engines trust and specific fuel consumption were computed. Additionally, it was necessary to determine the Emission Indexes (EI) of CO, NOx, HC and CO2 for the cruise phase, based on known such indexes for the LTO. Total emissions of these pollutants for the mission adopted to conduct research – a 1000 km long cruise – were determined. These emissions were computed for the exemplary aircraft per one kilometre, as well as per one hour of flight for various cruising altitudes and flight speeds.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide an alternative graph-based airspace model for more effective free-route flight planning. Design/methodology/approach: Based on graph theory and available data sets describing airspace, as well as weather phenomena, a new FRA model is proposed. The model is applied for near to optimal flight route finding. The software tool developed during the study and complexity analysis proved the applicability and timed effectivity of the flight planning approach. Findings: The sparse bidirectional graph with edges connecting only (geographically) closest neighbours can naturally model local airspace and weather phenomena. It can be naturally applied to effective near to optimal flight route planning. Research limitations/implications: Practical results were acquired for one country airspace model. Practical implications: More efficient and applicable flight planning methodology was introduced. Social implications: Aircraft following the new routes will fly shorter trajectories, which positively influence on the natural environment, flight time and fuel consumption. Originality/value: The airspace model proposed is based on standard mathematical backgrounds. However, it includes the original airspace and weather mapping idea, as well as it enables to shorten flight planning computations.

Considering the deepening geopolitical and climate crisis, more attention is systematically being paid to the development of alternative energy technologies. It is important to note that economically important energy sovereignty can be achieved through methods that simultaneously meet climate neutrality objectives. Therefore, the current period is a historic opportunity to enable the development of green, renewable energy, as this has comprehensive justification. In the ongoing circumstances, one of the fastest growing branches of science and economy is hydrogen technology. Numerous hydrogen projects of varying territorial scope are being developed in Europe. They are characterised by different organisational approaches. Therefore, the authors have undertaken to review and evaluate different hydrogen valley concepts using the SWOT method. The conducted work reviews leading Euopean hydrogen projects and identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of different types of hydrogen valley organisational concepts. The results of the work carried out will support the construction and development of new hydrogen valleys, which, in line with the objectives of the European Union, will be systematically created in the coming years.

This study investigates the degradation of aircraft paint and its impact on aerodynamic performance, using the PZL M-20 “Mewa” aircraft as a case study. Paint samples were collected from both damaged and intact areas of the airframe and analyzed using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and aerodynamic testing. One of the major challenges addressed in this work was the non-destructive identification of chemical aging effects in operational paint coatings and their correlation with aerodynamic behavior. The application of EPR spectroscopy in conjunction with real-world aerodynamic testing on naturally degraded surfaces represents an innovative approach that offers both scientific insight and practical guidance for maintenance practices. The results indicate significant deterioration in aerodynamic characteristics—such as increased drag and reduced lift—due to coating damage, particularly around riveted and bolted joints. EPR spectra revealed a notable increase in the density of unpaired electron spins in aged coatings, confirming ongoing oxidative degradation processes. While this study was limited to a single aircraft, the findings highlight the critical importance of regular inspection and maintenance of paint coatings to ensure flight safety and operational efficiency.

Among the most important problems currently faced by air transport, we can distinguish the adverse impact of aircrafts on the natu-ral environment, as well as the rising costs of transport. One of the possibilities to improve this situation is better adjustment of aircraft characteristics to the performed transport tasks, taking into account all the requirements and limitations that exist in air traffic and the adverse impact of air transport on the natural environment. It is reflected in the research tasks conducted under the SESAR program. The aspiration to minimize the adverse impact of aircrafts on the environment is executed, among others, through determining such trajectories that are characterized by minimal fuel consumption or minimal emission of harmful substances in the engines exhausts. These goals are corresponding with the research conducted and described in the paper. The main aim of the work was to analyse the impact of wind speed and direction on the emission of harmful substances of a jet aircraft performing a flight on a given route. For research purposes, the route between two Polish cities Gdansk and Rzeszow was considered. The distance between the two airports was divided into sections for which wind direction and strength were determined (read from the windy.com website). Next, the aircraft per-formance was determined and the fuel consumption and the amount of harmful compounds (CO2, NOx, CO and HC), emitted in the en-gines exhausts were determined for the route from Gdansk to Rzeszow (under favourable wind conditions) and on the return route – from Rzeszow to Gdansk (under unfavourable wind conditions). For comparative purposes, emission of these substances for windless condi-tions was also determined. The results are presented in tables and depicted in the graph, as well as discussed in the conclusions of the paper.