International Journal of Sustainable Aviation (4 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Tetrahedral redundant accelerometer block with geometry-consistent fault detection and isolation for strapdown inertial navigation systems  
  by Van-Minh Doan, Van-Thinh Nguyen, Quoc-Dat Dang, Dinh-Dung Nguyen 
  Abstract: Strapdown inertial navigation systems (SINS) on small UAVs and emerging eVTOL platforms are vulnerable to bias drift, measurement noise, and intermittent sensor faults conditions that can rapidly erode navigation integrity when GNSS is unavailable or degraded. This paper presents a non-orthogonal, redundant accelerometer block and a geometry-consistent fault detection and isolation (FDI) method that jointly hardens SINS against single-sensor anomalies. Four accelerometers are mounted at the vertices of a regular tetrahedron; mounting angles are selected to minimise the trace of the measurement-error covariance, yielding an algebraic residual constraint across the four outputs. A two-level monitoring scheme is then applied: 1) a block-level residual test to flag abnormal behaviour, followed by 2) a cross-comparison that localises the faulty unit and distinguishes hard failures (signal loss) from deterministic drift, enabling exclusion or compensation while maintaining three-axis acceleration reconstruction. A laboratory prototype using low-cost MEMS devices (ADXL345) and real-time processing software demonstrates reliable single-sensor fault localisation and continued acceleration estimation during induced loss-of-signal and drift events. The combined sensor geometry and FDI logic provide a practical, lightweight approach to improving navigation resilience for cost-constrained air vehicles operating in GNSS-denied or contested environments, supporting safer and more sustainable autonomous flight operations.
  Keywords: strapdown inertial navigation system; SINS; tetrahedral non-orthogonal sensor geometry; fault detection and isolation; FDI; GNSS-denied navigation; MEMS inertial sensors.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSA.2026.10079473
   
  
• Benchmarking-based strategic management approach to green finance and EU emissions trading system compliance at airports  
  by Armağan Macit 
  Abstract: The failure to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector and the increase in emissions driven by growing air transport demand have led the EU to implement measures to control aviations environmental impact. In this context, the sustainability-oriented approaches of airports, considered carbon hubs of air transport, are highly important. This study develops a strategic management model to improve green finance awareness and compliance with the European Union emissions trading system (EU ETS) among Turkish airports. A systematic comparison was conducted between selected European airports operating under the EU ETS and Turkish airports using a benchmarking approach. Similarities and differences were identified regarding financial sustainability practices, carbon reduction strategies, and emission management. This comparative analysis was supported by document review and sectoral reports. Findings show that European airports apply green finance tools more institutionally and integratively, while Turkish airports still face strategic deficiency.
  Keywords: strategic management; European Union emissions trading system; EU ETS; green finance; benchmarking; airport management.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSA.2026.10079783
   
  
• Sustainability performance evaluation of a turbofan engine using JP8 and hydrogen by advanced exergy analysis  
  by Cem Tahsin Yucer 
  Abstract: In this study, a F100-PW-100 low bypass turbofan engine was studied. The numerical data were recorded for JP8 fuel. To understand the effects of using hydrogen fuel, parametric analysis was applied. The turbofan engine components compressor, combustion chamber and turbine were studied by exergy analysis. Then, sustainability metrics were calculated including exergy efficiency, waste exergy ratio, environmental effect factor and exergetic sustainability index. Using advanced exergy analysis, the exergy destructions of the components were split into unavoidable, avoidable, endogenous and exogenous parts. Since the avoidable portion of the exergy destructions can be eliminated by technical improvements, the optimum exergetic sustainability parameter results were calculated by taking only the unavoidable portions into account. Furthermore, waste exergy ratio and environmental effect factor were split into endogenous and exogenous parts to compare the sustainability performance of the components in terms of origin. By using hydrogen as fuel, the maximum exergy efficiency was found to be 95.6% for the turbine. The upper limit for the turbine was obtained as 97%. Additionally, WER and EEF values decreased by 8% and 33% by using hydrogen as fuel.
  Keywords: hydrogen; sustainability; advanced exergy analysis; turbofan engine.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSA.2026.10080059
   
  
• Feasibility and performance evaluation of hybrid-electric retrofits for CS-23 commuter aircraft towards carbon-neutral regional aviation  
  by God'sable Sitsofe Koku Aidam, Eunice Akyereko Adjei, Richard Opoku, Francis Davis, David Kofi Oppong 
  Abstract: Hybrid-electric propulsion presents a promising transitional pathway towards lower-emission regional aviation. This study evaluates the feasibility of retrofitting three CS-23 commuter aircraft, the Dornier 228NG, DHC-6-400, and L410NG, with hydrogen fuel-cell and lithium-iron-phosphate battery systems, using a unified mission profile and parametric modelling. The Dornier 228NG demonstrated the lowest mission energy requirement, while the L410NG offered the most advantageous internal volume for system integration. Increasing hybridisation (xFC) reduced payload from 28%-32% at = 0 to 8%12% at xFC = 100%, mainly due to the mass and volume of fuel-cell and hydrogen-storage systems. Sensitivity analysis identified auxiliary power load, fuel-cell efficiency, and battery volumetric energy density as the key factors affecting payload feasibility, with
  Keywords: hybrid-electric propulsion; HEP; aircraft retrofitting; regional aviation; hydrogen fuel cell; battery integration; decarbonisation.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJSA.2026.10080060