4 ms·
Probably because sustained heavier-than-air flight requires an engine. So same reason the car was not invented earlier - a coal-powered steam engine is too heav
by goto11 4y ago
Probably because sustained heavier-than-air flight requires an engine. So same reason the car was not invented earlier - a coal-powered steam engine is too heavy.
- dredmorbius 4y agoSteam has other disadvantages. It's quite good at steady-power output. Throttle response is poor. Both automobiles and aircraft operate with quite variable power requirements. Though at least for long-range air travel, once the take-off / climb portion of flight has been completed, cruise is typically at a fairly constant setting.
- Koshkin 4y agoI does not have to be "sustained" for more than a few minutes to be called a flight. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deltaplane https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deltaplane
- goto11 4y agoSure, but beside the point. There are many historical examples of heavier-than-air flight (kites, gliders etc.), but without means of self-propulsion it is not very practically useful.