Originally Posted by
pattern_is_full
Yes, but at what point does landing weight become a special factor? I.E. must be a value less than MTOW, and so-listed in the manual? And assumed by the engineers? And does that include any aircraft likely to be electrified any time soon?
If a given design has a MLW of 5000kg, it can land at 5000kg. That is the spec, and it can be landed that way on every landing. There's nothing in the books that says "MLW - but only use this 10% of the time!"
And it doesn't matter how that weight is divided between structure, engines, batteries/fuel, and payload. Payload being the factor where adjustments are most easily made.
The difference between MTOW and MLW for a Twin Otter is 200lb/90Kg. Leave out one seat = end of problem.
Of course, that doesn't contradict the general idea that weight is always a critical problem in any aircraft, from balloons to A380s. And that electric flight beyond a certain point will depend on "unrealized" technology, like the ability to make aluminum engine blocks in place of cast-iron was for aviation 116 years ago.
Based on current power densities, a 90 Kg battery will provide enough power to support a Twin Otter for three or four minutes.
Using electric power to substitute for two GE90-110 engines will require a battery weighing more than the passengers and fuel that a 773 can carry.
The entire idea of electrifying airplanes is rather pointless. The pretzel twists of different methods being proposed by the acolytes to attain what is essentially insignificant flight time illustrates that quite easily.