Notes on life, art, photography and technology, by a Danish dropout bohemian.
When you drink the water, remember the river.
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Saturday, October 13, 2007
Hybrid airship
This is interesting. But I think it will be awfully victimized by weather, no? Not only does it not fly above the weather like jets do, but it is also bigger and slower.
It was about time somebody concretized that hybrid project. It's been more than a decade since blimp technology has returned into favor, and again considered commercially interesting. It'll be great for the environment, I bet. And hugely cost-effective.
I suppose it takes off rather similarly to a helicopter. That should save airport runway space, cost, and probably spare a lot of noise too.
Regarding the weather, I suppose it's similar to a ship: if it doesn't get into unsafely rough weather (which would also be unsafe for classic airplanes), the shaking should be minimal. Jets are also subject to turbulences related to their own way of flying. Besides, the bigger the craft, the more its inertia will dampen external factors. A row-boat rocks far more than an aircraft carrier.
Looks like airships might make a comeback. This Aeros one looks very luxurious. Perhaps the new found focus on the eco issues will give this project a boost.
There won't be a savings on runway space until conventional aircraft are replaced. Then these behemoths look like they'll need more ground space. Surely you've seen airship hangers; they are huge compared with aircraft hangars. If left out on the field, they will take up significant acreage. Of course as with any transportation, the aim is to keep them moving, so not many will be berthed at anyone time.
A conventional, contemporary blimp has a pair of quiet turbo prop engines, these don't sound bad, being favorable over a banner planes conventional prop engine.
It was about time somebody concretized that hybrid project. It's been more than a decade since blimp technology has returned into favor, and again considered commercially interesting. It'll be great for the environment, I bet. And hugely cost-effective.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it takes off rather similarly to a helicopter. That should save airport runway space, cost, and probably spare a lot of noise too.
Regarding the weather, I suppose it's similar to a ship: if it doesn't get into unsafely rough weather (which would also be unsafe for classic airplanes), the shaking should be minimal. Jets are also subject to turbulences related to their own way of flying.
Besides, the bigger the craft, the more its inertia will dampen external factors. A row-boat rocks far more than an aircraft carrier.
Looks like airships might make a comeback. This Aeros one looks very luxurious. Perhaps the new found focus on the eco issues will give this project a boost.
ReplyDeleteThere won't be a savings on runway space until conventional aircraft are replaced. Then these behemoths look like they'll need more ground space. Surely you've seen airship hangers; they are huge compared with aircraft hangars. If left out on the field, they will take up significant acreage. Of course as with any transportation, the aim is to keep them moving, so not many will be berthed at anyone time.
ReplyDeleteA conventional, contemporary blimp has a pair of quiet turbo prop engines, these don't sound bad, being favorable over a banner planes conventional prop engine.
Be nice to see whales in the sky.
"Be nice to see whales in the sky."
ReplyDeleteSo then, I take it you still haven't seen Fantasia 2,000? ;-)
I had to leave the cinema when watching the original fantasia. To creepy. I was only 5.
ReplyDeleteW.A.I.L.! Wailing An Immoderate Laugh. (:-D
ReplyDelete