ross_M
18th Jun 2013, 17:27
This sounded like crackpottery to me but its pedigree seems decently good. (https://documents.epfl.ch/groups/m/me/mediacomfiles/www/clipair/documents/EPFL-clip-air-en.pdf)
So thought I'd post it for opinions. Well, at least you guys can do a thorough job ripping it apart. :) If anyone was at the Paris Air Show and saw this let me know your opinions!
Some key bits from the article:
"The Clip-Air project envisions an airplane consisting of a single flying wing onto which capsules carrying passengers or freight can be attached. More than a new type of flying device, its innovative concept could revolutionize the airports of the future."
"For the first time, a model of the Clip-Air plane will be presented at the Paris Air Show from 17 to 19 June 2013. Despite its being a very futuristic project, the scientists behind it work under rigorous constraints to maintain its technical feasibility."
"The Clip-Air project’s main contribution would be to provide rail transport’s
flexibility to air transport. On the one hand, the Clip-Air plane includes a
support structure made up by the wing, engines, cockpit, fuel and landing
gear. On the other hand, there is the load to be carried: passengers and/or
freight. Hence, the capsule would be equivalent to a real airplane’s fuselage,
but without its usual attributes. The flying wing can accommodate up to three
capsules with a capacity of 150 passengers each."
So thought I'd post it for opinions. Well, at least you guys can do a thorough job ripping it apart. :) If anyone was at the Paris Air Show and saw this let me know your opinions!
Some key bits from the article:
"The Clip-Air project envisions an airplane consisting of a single flying wing onto which capsules carrying passengers or freight can be attached. More than a new type of flying device, its innovative concept could revolutionize the airports of the future."
"For the first time, a model of the Clip-Air plane will be presented at the Paris Air Show from 17 to 19 June 2013. Despite its being a very futuristic project, the scientists behind it work under rigorous constraints to maintain its technical feasibility."
"The Clip-Air project’s main contribution would be to provide rail transport’s
flexibility to air transport. On the one hand, the Clip-Air plane includes a
support structure made up by the wing, engines, cockpit, fuel and landing
gear. On the other hand, there is the load to be carried: passengers and/or
freight. Hence, the capsule would be equivalent to a real airplane’s fuselage,
but without its usual attributes. The flying wing can accommodate up to three
capsules with a capacity of 150 passengers each."