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How windowless planes could be the future of cheap air travel
www.telegraph.co.uk ^ | 5:03PM BST 26 Aug 2014 | By Alice Philipson

Posted on 08/26/2014 1:46:19 PM PDT by Red Badger

Windowless planes could be the future of cheaper air travel as a government technology centre develops a proposal to help airlines save on fuel.

In place of windows, plastic display screens projecting the sky outside could line the cabin of an aircraft.

It is hoped the technology will significantly reduce aircraft weight and cut fuel costs without worrying nervous passengers.

The display screens will function using a technique called printable electronics, which involves the use of conductive inks to carry electric current in cardboard and plastic for just a few pence per unit.

The technology could be rolled out in other key industries. For example, in pharmacuticals, so-called 'smart packaging' could be used to remind a patient to take their medication.

However, developers at the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) in Sedgefield, which is one of the government's network of technology centres known as Catapults, are particularly excited by the benefits printable electronics offer to aviation.

Tom Taylor, who is part of the management team at CPI in County Durham, told The Financial Times: "Getting weight out of a plane is a key [goal] for the industry.

"You could see the first of these coming to market in three to four years."

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Computers/Internet; Music/Entertainment; Travel
KEYWORDS: aerospace; aircracft; airline; airtravel; aviation; travel
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1 posted on 08/26/2014 1:46:20 PM PDT by Red Badger
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To: ShadowAce

Tech Ping!..................


2 posted on 08/26/2014 1:46:42 PM PDT by Red Badger (If you compromise with evil, you just get more evil..........................)
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To: Red Badger

Who has the aviation ping list?.................


3 posted on 08/26/2014 1:47:03 PM PDT by Red Badger (If you compromise with evil, you just get more evil..........................)
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To: Red Badger

wow. insanely cool.better than windows, i wonder if bill gates knows this is coming. no windows.


4 posted on 08/26/2014 1:48:25 PM PDT by beebuster2000
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To: Red Badger

Hey look, lightening and a small plane coming our way.


5 posted on 08/26/2014 1:48:50 PM PDT by A CA Guy ( God Bless America, God Bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: Red Badger

...and of course there will be advertising.


6 posted on 08/26/2014 1:51:02 PM PDT by gunsequalfreedom (Conservative is not a label of convenience. It is a guide to your actions.)
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To: beebuster2000

No Windows because they want it to work......................


7 posted on 08/26/2014 1:51:38 PM PDT by Red Badger (If you compromise with evil, you just get more evil..........................)
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To: beebuster2000

.........The FIRST TIME........................


8 posted on 08/26/2014 1:51:59 PM PDT by Red Badger (If you compromise with evil, you just get more evil..........................)
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To: Red Badger

I want to see the flight deck!


9 posted on 08/26/2014 1:52:24 PM PDT by SkyDancer (I Was Told Nobody Is Perfect But Yet, Here I Am)
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To: gunsequalfreedom

And now a word from our sponsor..............Dramamine..............


10 posted on 08/26/2014 1:52:48 PM PDT by Red Badger (If you compromise with evil, you just get more evil..........................)
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To: Red Badger

You’d think shots of flying between skyscrapers downtown wouldn’t be on their “good idea” list.


11 posted on 08/26/2014 1:53:26 PM PDT by TheZMan (Buy more ammo.)
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To: SkyDancer

WHy would you want to see the pilots sleeping?.................


12 posted on 08/26/2014 1:53:39 PM PDT by Red Badger (If you compromise with evil, you just get more evil..........................)
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To: Red Badger

Blaine the Monorail.


13 posted on 08/26/2014 1:54:00 PM PDT by cripplecreek ("Moderates" are lying manipulative bottom feeding scum.)
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To: Red Badger
Getting weight out of a plane is a key [goal] for the industry.

That's not to mention the maintenance of the windows. One of the volcanoes that erupted in the early 1980s put up a lot of acidic and abrasive ash that scratched and etched the windows, generating a lot of complaints.

The windows weren't polished that often, and it meant extra unscheduled maintenance costs for non-safety and non-health issues.

Volcanoes continue to erupt.

14 posted on 08/26/2014 1:54:01 PM PDT by Calvin Locke
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To: Red Badger

Yeah, that’s pretty awesome! But yes, it will come with advertisements too....


15 posted on 08/26/2014 1:54:17 PM PDT by vpintheak (I will not comply!)
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To: TheZMan

It’s been 13 years...........


16 posted on 08/26/2014 1:54:28 PM PDT by Red Badger (If you compromise with evil, you just get more evil..........................)
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To: Red Badger
I've got the perfect screen saver.


17 posted on 08/26/2014 1:54:37 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: Red Badger

>snort<!


18 posted on 08/26/2014 1:54:51 PM PDT by SkyDancer (I Was Told Nobody Is Perfect But Yet, Here I Am)
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To: gunsequalfreedom
...and of course there will be advertising.

BINGO!!!!!

19 posted on 08/26/2014 1:55:25 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: cripplecreek

Oh look! a DRONE!.............................


20 posted on 08/26/2014 1:55:49 PM PDT by Red Badger (If you compromise with evil, you just get more evil..........................)
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