Re:Gwynne Shotwell: SpaceX's Plan to Fly You Across the Glob...
by jryle70 on Monday April 23, 2018 @08:46PM
(#16908896)
Airlines use longer range aircrafts for longer flights. That should be obvious, shouldn't it?
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:Gwynne Shotwell: SpaceX's Plan to Fly You Across the Glob...
by Retric on Wednesday April 25, 2018 @10:42AM
(#16921906)
Efficiency is one way to increase range. Wingtip devices can reduce drag by inhibiting vortex formation, however they increase weight so there is a minimum flight distance before they are a net gain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingtip_device
There is a tradeoff of needing carry more fuel over a portion of the flight, but the aircraft also spends a higher percentage of it's fuel on flying vs taxiing etc.