University of Virginia Library

Engineer Debates SST, Environment

Before an audience of 150 Wednesday
night, the chief engineer of Boeing stated
that the worst problem the SST poses is
noise level, rather than the pollution of
the atmosphere.

John M. Swihart, chief engineer of
Boeing and Bruce P. Hayden, assistant
professor of environmental sciences at
the University debated the effects of the
Supersonic Transport on the
environment.

Mr. Swihart termed the SST's engines
as "smokeless" and the "cleanest"
engines ever built. He added that cars produce
50 times more pollutants for each pound of
fuel consumed than the SST.

In contention with Mr. Swihart's remarks,
Mr. Hayden said that there was a possibility
that the emissions from the SST could pollute
the stratosphere and the earth's atmosphere
would therefore be adversely affected.

He said that gases emitted by the SST,
especially carbon dioxide, could alter the
normal "greenhouse" effect of the earth's
atmosphere and could cause a drop in the
earth's temperature.

He added that there needs to be more
research on the possible effects of the SST on
the environment.

Mr. Swihart also turned to the economic
contributions of the SST. He said that the
government had loaned Boeing $1.2 billion as
an advance to "enable the prototype
development to go forward." The potential
return to the taxpayers on the loan itself is
more than a billion dollars, he said.

He added that the development would mean
150,000 jobs, which would create $6.7 billion
in taxes.

Swihart stated that Boeing expects orders
for the craft to range around the 500 mark.
This will add $10 billion in exports to help
reduce the international balance of payments
deficit, he said.

In reference to noise pollution, Mr. Swihart
stated that Boeing is spending $50 million to
reduce the noise level of the aircraft
"substantially." As to the effects of sonic
booms on marine life, he said the normal
decibel range of wave action at sea was 20
decibels higher than the SST's sonic boom and
that the SST will not be flying fast enough over
land to cause a sonic boom.