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The reason energy recovery in cars makes sense is that you're constantly stopping and starting. In a plane you definitely don't want the engine to stop running
by jxf 6y ago
The reason energy recovery in cars makes sense is that you're constantly stopping and starting. In a plane you definitely don't want the engine to stop running while you're in the air.
- manigandham 6y agoIsn't altitude ultimately a function of energy? If you're decreasing altitude wouldn't that be a decent amount of recovery? Gas turbines need to keep running to sustain combustion but electric motors can start and stop instantly with current flow; it seems possible to use this as part of the dynamic control of the aircraft.
- dogma1138 6y agoYou don’t change altitude frequently enough and even if you could recover 80% of the energy you spent on reaching cruising altitude when you perform your landing approach it won’t be much, and probably won’t be worth the extra complexity and weight of an energy recovery system. Unless we’re talking about very short flights the majority of your energy would be expanded at cruising altitude especially since electric engines have a fairly flat efficiency curve.
- LightG 6y agoActually, why don't planes cycle climbing to a height, switch off the engines, glide for X miles, restart engines to climb, etc ... Pretty sure I used to do that when I used to fly in my Microprose F-15 and was short on fuel.