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Some things are limited by unchanging physics, like what shapes work aerodynamically, limitations imposed by the speed of sound, the maximum amount of thrust th
by zugi 4y ago
Some things are limited by unchanging physics, like what shapes work aerodynamically, limitations imposed by the speed of sound, the maximum amount of thrust that can be generated by a kilogram of fuel, and so forth. Once humans figure out what basically works, we keep making incremental improvements towards optimality given the physical constraints. In such scenarios the first steps always look the biggest.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner doesn't look very different from the 737 and its predecessors. But under the hood are some revolutionary technologies: fly-by-wire all-electronic controls, and construction primarily from carbon fiber composite materials rather than the traditional steel, aluminum, and titanium. It's actually pretty revolutionary, but it still looks and feels like a fairly normal plane, because it's the physics of air flow that dictates basic things like shape.
- bobthepanda 4y agoRight. There have always been novel concept planes but they usually fall apart for practical reasons * SSTs like Concorde use a lot more fuel and have to be narrow, to the point of sacrificing comfort * blended wings are not desirable for passenger comfort; people like windows and hate middle seats * airplanes have to fit within the constraints at operating at airports that currently exist. Cities are not going to build new airfields or modify existing ones for billions of dollars for what might be a technological fad instead of a long term improvement, so you pretty much need to fit existing gates, existing runway widths and weight limits, etc. The A380 needed such modifications and therefore could not be flown everywhere.
- blauditore 4y agoFor many of these physical boundaries, airplanes (as well as cars) are nowhere near the limits. E.g. fuel efficiency of engines is usually well below 50%.