[Question_Assumptions]

I'm still looking for information on (A) how fast this carbon composite will burn when contrasted to a conventional aluminum airframe (what happens when one of these things goes on fire -- yes, I know aluminum melts and burns, too) and (B) how will they repair these composite one-piece airframes if an impact damages the structure of the composite (I assume you can't just rivet on a new piece of carbon composite, or can you?)?

[nightdriver]

"I'm still looking for information on (A) how fast this carbon composite will burn when contrasted to a conventional aluminum airframe (what happens when one of these things goes on fire....

Ol' Bill Lear (of LearJet fame) learned that the carbon fiber composits have a nasty fire characteristic. Even using chasis as electrical ground runs the danger of igniting the stuff and the fire gives off some very toxic fumes.

As an old alum of Boeing (747 project), I'm not really very optimistic about their new plastic and electric airplane.

[PAR35]

(I assume you can't just rivet on a new piece of carbon composite, or can you?)?

I would think that you'd use glue instead of rivets. I'll leave any discussion about structural issues to the engineers.