Boeing's SUGAR Volt concept plane would run on gas and electricity. (Image courtesy of Boeing / July 28, 2010)
Posted on 08/02/2010 10:28:01 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Boeing working on hybrid plane to cut fuel use, noise, emissions
OSHKOSH, Wis. — An electric airliner?
Imagine a hyper-efficient aircraft as large as a Boeing 737, although weighing much less. It would run quieter and cleaner than any other commercial plane ever made, requiring two-thirds less energy, according to NASA-funded research.
The hybrid-powered jetliner of the future would operate on batteries or jet fuel, depending on whether it's cruising or taking off and climbing, when the most thrust is required.
The concept of electric aircraft generated a resounding buzz amid the drone of pistons and the roar of gas turbine jet engines at the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual AirVenture air show, which wrapped up Sunday at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
Chicago-based Boeing is working on a concept plane called the SUGAR Volt that would use turbine engines and electric motors connected to the fans to more efficiently propel the electric airliner. On flights of up to 900 miles, the SUGAR Volt would cruise almost exclusively on battery power, said Marty Bradley, a technical fellow at Boeing's research and technology division in Huntington Beach, Calif.
An electric propulsion system would help slash the amount of fuel burned as well as noise around airports by about 70 percent compared with today's airliner fleet, say aerospace researchers who believe they can have such a flying machine up and running by about 2035.
~snip~
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Boeing's SUGAR Volt concept plane would run on gas and electricity. (Image courtesy of Boeing / July 28, 2010)
Boeing’s SUGAR Volt concept plane would run on gas and electricity ...and unicorn farts.
I though jetliners presently operate on batteries and jet fuel....
Give ma a ticket on a real Jetliner.
ma = me
This is what I call a PDOOMA .....pulled directly out of my........
Maybe they can put some solar panels on the wings and wind turbines on the top of the fuselage! That would be really coool and sooo green!
Boy oh boy, I’ll bet that sucker will hit oh...maybe 110 MPH!
Just think of it!!!
Don’t like it when they use an acronym, and not define it.
Had to look up what SUGAR stood for, it’s Subsonic Ultra Green
Aircraft Research. (you’re welcome)
After you add the time, cost, and inconvenience of traveling to an airport and going through the security clowns, 110 mph seems not even worth it. They’d have to pay ME to fly.
A 100mph airliner?
I will bet its a doable project they need to get the GE & Prat Whitney on-board though to integrate the propulsion systems.
With the DC power the batteries would have to store it would take weeks to charge and to charge the fleet would blow every power line in the US.
Liberals don’t “think” about ANY issue beyond -
“now I feel good about myself for being on this side of this issue”.
I had no idea that full sized electric was being taken so seriously. I fly RC electric as I’m sure many other Freepers do. The first application would be for commuter airports. Wingspan size is no object. I fly into Coos Bay Oregon on occasion and 100 MPH with someone else driving would be comfortable and desirable.
“This is your Captain speaking. We do have a minor in-flight emergency. Would you all please give every battery you have to the flight attendants going through the cabin with the white plastic bags? Please? Please. PLEASE, WOULD YOU HURRY
IT UP!”
I’m surprised there aren’t any solar cells on the thousands of square feet of wing area.
Wouldn’t the weight of the batteries be a real problem?
100mph?
How fast does a high altitude blimp go?
“according to NASA-funded research.”
Why is our tax momney funding reasearch for use in private industry?
Oh, and BTW, I call BS on this whole concept, unless that plane’s payload is about 100 lbs.
Not only that, but battery power currently has the worst power to weight ratios available.
Absolutely insane for aircraft use.
Since it does with cars, it's a good guess it would impact payload. One or both of the passengers may have to get out and walk if the wind shifts.
Icarus, line 2...
Colonel, USAFR
This is what I call a PDOOMA .....pulled directly out of my........
I belive this is the same as the older term “sub-beltline extraction.”
The airspeed indicator of the Goodyear blimp goes up to 70 knots.
vaporware.
This is the same type of BS they released when airbus put out their monster.
What about (so-called) super capacitors, for ground storage at least? And could these ever be charged by lighting? Just thinking. They let me out of my box for an hour.
“Throw Mama from the train, a kiss, a kiss.”
Miles per gallon of what? Oooh, I get it, it can go 40 miles on a charge and 160 miles on Jet A.
I’m no EE, but I don’t think super caps have much power density. They’re lighter, but you’d probably need one the size of the plane to run it for a few seconds.
As for lightening: Not very reliable, for one thing. But also. I think you’d need a ground in order to generate potential.
Let's see... Gate show time is 1 hour prior to take off. Allow another hour or so to check in an get through security. Then 2 hours for a 2 hour flight. Then one hour to go to baggage claim (if they let you bring bags) and car rental. That means it would take 5 hours to travel 200 miles, or 40 miles an hour.
12+ hours to 900 miles?
None of this takes into consideration the Concorde-type ticket prices that will surely be required.
No thanks, I'll drive.
Maybe we can give it to the Muslims to develop.
-PJ
San Francisco airport suggests arriving two hours before domestic flights. Add two hours for the two hundred mile flight and add at least thirty minutes to retrieve your luggage and secure ground transportation and we're up to 4.5 hours to go 200 miles. That puts us at just under 45 miles an hour for the total trip.
No Thanks!
Darn tooting. It's the Modern Age
Yes, the weight to power ratio is poor, but they take quick recharges, etc. Potential.
But what about landing airliners like they do on carriers. Save time and space, and provide added excitement!
Actually a wood-burning steam-powered jet is much more greener.
Actually a wood-burning steam-powered jet is much more greener.
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