3 ms·
I wonder if a low-performance version of a carrier catapult would work. Perhaps a simpler / cheaper version would be a specialized winch at the end of the runwa
by CoastalCoder 5y ago
I wonder if a low-performance version of a carrier catapult would work. Perhaps a simpler / cheaper version would be a specialized winch at the end of the runway.
Obviously it would limit the airstrips from which an electric plane could embark, but maybe that's an acceptable trade-off.
- Robotbeat 5y agoThat’s precisely what Zipline does, which is the only operational cargo electric plane company.
- nradov 5y agoGliders are already launched using winches at some airfields. https://www.camgliding.uk/about-gliding/launch-methods/ https://www.camgliding.uk/about-gliding/launch-methods/
- polishdude20 5y agoYou could even have a cable that travels with the plane while it's on the runway providing all the power you need and when the plane takes off, the cable comes off and the plane uses its own battery.