4 ms·

Looks super optimized for low induced drag with the high aspect straight wing. Bubble fuselage probably handles the stresses for high altitude better than a tub

Looks super optimized for low induced drag with the high aspect straight wing. Bubble fuselage probably handles the stresses for high altitude better than a tube, reducing weight. Nice work. Reminds me of a student design with what you get by just following design equations and going for a crazy mission profile.

bayesian_horse 7y ago
I'm not a professional, but I had the impression that people generally don't want to fly in aircraft with shapes other than the current dominating design. For me that's a non-issue if I trust the regulatory procedures (737-Max 8 comes to mind)... Rutan has a lot of great looking planes. Unfortunately they had limited success. People still try now and again to introduce flying-wings, but I guess the above is one factor why it doesn't seem to take.
- nickserv 7y ago
  One problem with flying wings is that you typically have seats further from the plane's center line (roll axis). Those unlucky enough to be farthest from the center experience greater force during banking, causing dizziness and nausea.
- PopeDotNinja 7y ago
  I'd fly in something that looked ridiculous if it was a pleasant enough travel experience.
  - GordonS 7y ago
    Likewise; honestly not sure why someone would have issue with the shape. Safety, cost, comfort, efficiency, sure - if it delivers on those, why would I care what shape it was?
taneq 7y ago
> Reminds me of a student design with what you get by just following design equations and going for a crazy mission profile. This is the only thing that makes sense about this design. It's the result of optimizing some parameter at the expense of all others. Maybe the maths makes sense but it looks ugly and I've never seen an ugly machine that worked well.
- jacobush 7y ago
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_29_Tunnan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_29_Tunnan now you have
  - taneq 7y ago
    > Despite its rotund appearance, from which its name derives, the J 29 was a fast and agile aircraft for its era So why do all modern fighters look similar and nothing like this?
    - jacobush 7y ago
      The only reason I know - was hell to learn how to fly. Very unstable and it had quite the reputation for killings its test pilots.
dgemm 7y ago
It looks like a Bell X-1.

bayesian_horse 7y ago

I'm not a professional, but I had the impression that people generally don't want to fly in aircraft with shapes other than the current dominating design. For me that's a non-issue if I trust the regulatory procedures (737-Max 8 comes to mind)... Rutan has a lot of great looking planes. Unfortunately they had limited success. People still try now and again to introduce flying-wings, but I guess the above is one factor why it doesn't seem to take.

nickserv 7y ago
One problem with flying wings is that you typically have seats further from the plane's center line (roll axis). Those unlucky enough to be farthest from the center experience greater force during banking, causing dizziness and nausea.
PopeDotNinja 7y ago
I'd fly in something that looked ridiculous if it was a pleasant enough travel experience.
- GordonS 7y ago
  Likewise; honestly not sure why someone would have issue with the shape. Safety, cost, comfort, efficiency, sure - if it delivers on those, why would I care what shape it was?

taneq 7y ago

> Reminds me of a student design with what you get by just following design equations and going for a crazy mission profile. This is the only thing that makes sense about this design. It's the result of optimizing some parameter at the expense of all others. Maybe the maths makes sense but it looks ugly and I've never seen an ugly machine that worked well.

jacobush 7y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_29_Tunnan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_29_Tunnan now you have
- taneq 7y ago
  > Despite its rotund appearance, from which its name derives, the J 29 was a fast and agile aircraft for its era So why do all modern fighters look similar and nothing like this?
  - jacobush 7y ago
    The only reason I know - was hell to learn how to fly. Very unstable and it had quite the reputation for killings its test pilots.

dgemm 7y ago

It looks like a Bell X-1.