4 ms·

I really wonder if a mixed approach isn't best. Make the planes like trains, where the propellors would be electric motors, while there's a generator in the fus

I really wonder if a mixed approach isn't best. Make the planes like trains, where the propellors would be electric motors, while there's a generator in the fuselage running on AVFUEL it was already going to burn in a jet engine. Reduced complexity, centralized weight, possibly modular system where bigger loads can be possible with a generator swap for more output and propellor swap for more bite. I'm sure some level of batteries would be required for safety if the generator dies mid flight, but a load of emergency batteries is much smaller than a load of main fuel cell batteries.

Ekaros 3y ago
Turboprops that is turbine driven propellers(also turbines produce some trust) are very efficient. Better than generators you could use. And they are also simple for power produced. Only down side really is that the optimal speed is quite a bit lower than jets.
nradov 3y ago
That type of series hybrid architecture works well in locomotives where weight isn't much of an issue but it's totally unsuitable for aircraft. The necessary generator hardware is too heavy, and it loses a lot of efficiency compared to a direct mechanical connection. Some sort of parallel hybrid architecture is more likely for short to medium haul airliners. They will use somewhat smaller turbine engines for cruise, augmented by battery powered electric motors for takeoff (or emergencies).