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.
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(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.
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