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Don't know why they can't just drop an empty battery w/ a parachute once the plane gets to a high enough altitude.
by soperj 7y ago
Don't know why they can't just drop an empty battery w/ a parachute once the plane gets to a high enough altitude.
- newnewpdro 7y agoDoes jettisoning that weight have a tremendous impact on cruising efficiency? My impression is that the main advantage of dumping a take-off battery is reduced landing weight, which is certainly an issue with existing commercial jet airframes. They can't land with a full fuel load without damaging the plane. But I'm not clear on what affect it has on range/efficiency.
- ginko 7y agoAt this point they could as well use an electric cable that detaches once the plane has reached a certain altitude/distance from the airport.
- nradov 7y agoBatteries don't handle impacts well. People living near airports don't appreciate battery packs crashing through their roofs when the parachute fails to open. It's expensive to have someone drive around with a truck and pick up the dead batteries. When weather conditions get a little rough, real airplanes can still fly but parachutes get blown all over the place.