3 ms·

Depends on the load factor ( # of kilos/m2 ) that applies to the plane. You could increase the cabin size by 20% but only increase max load by 5% and then you'd

by olefoo 12y ago

Depends on the load factor ( # of kilos/m2 ) that applies to the plane. You could increase the cabin size by 20% but only increase max load by 5% and then you'd have 15% more space into which to put passengers and luggage. I myself would be happy with larger, lighter, slower and more fuel-efficient planes. But then I am also perennially hoping that dirigible passenger liners will make a comeback.

msandford 12y ago
> Depends on the load factor ( # of kilos/m2 ) that applies to the plane. You could increase the cabin size by 20% but only increase max load by 5% and then you'd have 15% more space into which to put passengers and luggage. Actually what you'd need to do is increase 20% past the point at which the load factor starts to become about weight rather than volume. What I mean is that right now planes might be able to carry more weight, but don't because there's not enough room. I'm not an aerospace guy so I can't tell you where stuff lies on the spectrum right now. But it seems possible to me, which is why the airlines keep cramming more seats into planes; they've got the lift capacity for the increased weight. > I myself would be happy with larger, lighter, slower and more fuel-efficient planes. But then I am also perennially hoping that dirigible passenger liners will make a comeback. I wouldn't mind that much either. I'm headed to Scotland from Texas for a wedding in about 6 weeks and I'd much prefer 36 hours each way on a sofa to 12-14 hours each way crammed into a chair barely big enough for me. At 4500 miles the airship would only need to manage 125mph which is fast, but not crazy fast. I'd also be a fan of big, ocean going ground effect airplanes. But when I say big, I mean big. It's going to be able to have ground effect at 20-30 feet up so that you can cut across most of the chop. I suspect that the wings would need to be an awful shape to get that high, but that's what it would take for comfort. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pelican-01.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pelican-01.jpg
- olefoo 12y ago
  WIG vehicles are pretty damn cool. Unfortunately they are rather vulnerable to weather. I am disappointed that Russia hasn't made regular Ekranoplan service a thing, both across the polar areas and on the black sea.

by olefoo 12y ago

msandford 12y ago

> Depends on the load factor ( # of kilos/m2 ) that applies to the plane. You could increase the cabin size by 20% but only increase max load by 5% and then you'd have 15% more space into which to put passengers and luggage. Actually what you'd need to do is increase 20% past the point at which the load factor starts to become about weight rather than volume. What I mean is that right now planes might be able to carry more weight, but don't because there's not enough room. I'm not an aerospace guy so I can't tell you where stuff lies on the spectrum right now. But it seems possible to me, which is why the airlines keep cramming more seats into planes; they've got the lift capacity for the increased weight. > I myself would be happy with larger, lighter, slower and more fuel-efficient planes. But then I am also perennially hoping that dirigible passenger liners will make a comeback. I wouldn't mind that much either. I'm headed to Scotland from Texas for a wedding in about 6 weeks and I'd much prefer 36 hours each way on a sofa to 12-14 hours each way crammed into a chair barely big enough for me. At 4500 miles the airship would only need to manage 125mph which is fast, but not crazy fast. I'd also be a fan of big, ocean going ground effect airplanes. But when I say big, I mean big. It's going to be able to have ground effect at 20-30 feet up so that you can cut across most of the chop. I suspect that the wings would need to be an awful shape to get that high, but that's what it would take for comfort. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pelican-01.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pelican-01.jpg

olefoo 12y ago
WIG vehicles are pretty damn cool. Unfortunately they are rather vulnerable to weather. I am disappointed that Russia hasn't made regular Ekranoplan service a thing, both across the polar areas and on the black sea.