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If I'm reading the article correctly, they had refuelling cars handing them cables while in motion, so that they could recharge the batteries inflight. It's a
by dsr_ 6y ago
If I'm reading the article correctly, they had refuelling cars handing them cables while in motion, so that they could recharge the batteries inflight.
It's a stunt.
- Robotbeat 6y agoDefinitely. As are all record attempts. Still useful, though.
- ZeroGravitas 6y agoI've been wondering how that kind of thing could be productized. Like if take-off is the most energy intensive part, can you have a magnetically connected cable that detaches once it get pulled to full length? Of not, what is the problem and can we work around it? Or auxiliary batteries that detach and return as parachute drones to be recharged for the next takeoff? Similarly, hydrogen fueling stations in the middle of the ocean seem like an interesting way to decarbonise shipping.
- msandford 6y agoI think you'd have better luck with some kind of a glider launch system where you have a stationary motor on the ground and a long cable. It's possible to put 2kft of altitude on in less than a minute this way. If you wanted to do the same with GA electric planes you probably could perhaps with longer runways or more powerful winches esp. if you engineer the airframe to handle a more powerful winch. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliding#Winch_launching https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliding#Winch_launching
- pintxo 6y agoNot my reading. I understood they had two ground crews with charging equipment and possibly batteries such that at every airport they land, the ground crew arrives in time to recharge the plane. Which was necessary, as there is no electrical charging infrastructure at today’s airports.