h a l f b a k e r yTastes richer, less filling.
add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random
news, help, about, links, report a problem
browse anonymously,
or get an account
and write.
register,
|
|
|
Please log in.
Before you can vote, you need to register.
Please log in or create an account.
|
I envisage a large, flat symmetrical wing inflated with a lighter than air gas which is propelled as a conventional plane would be to generate lift, perhaps with an extra vertical wing of similar size analogous to a tailplane to provide extra buoyancy and stability.
One advantage would be that
less fuel would be needed, and it might even be possible to switch to burning the hydrogen in the wings directly towards the end of the flight. Another would be that gas only slightly less dense than air could be used rather than hydrogen or helium.
similar but gasless shameless self promo.
Solar_20hot_20air_20hang_20glider_2e
[2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jun 24 2005]
Gravity-powered airplane
http://www.fuellessflight.com/
Different shape, similar idea. [Freefall, Jun 24 2005]
[link]
|
| |
One could take a salvage airplane fuselage and attach balloons to it. Maybe several that move lengthwise around the craft or... no, that's just stupid. |
|
| |
Yeah; what sort of nutter would think of that? |
|
| |
It would probably be quite big compared to a conventional plane capable of carrying the same weight, but the actual mass of materials used would surely not be that great, and would also fall if the hydrogen was burnt. It would also crash relatively gracefully. Yes, it might be huge but is that a bad thing? If it took off from and alighted on water or another uncluttered surface such as an ice field, moor or sandy desert, that wouldn't be a problem.
I also like the idea of the solar heated hang glider - perhaps these could be combined, and (this is very optimistic) the thrust of expanding gas used to push the plane along. |
|
| |
Well, one thing's for sure: the wing loading would be low. |
|
| |
In a sense it would be negative, so maybe it would need ballast. |
|
| |