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Re:GE, NASA Partner to advance the future of electric flight by 0x8BADF00D on Saturday September 28, 2019 @11:02PM (#21104766)
With VTOL you only need enough energy to propel you to a high enough distance. Then you can glide. The higher up you go the farther you can travel.
Re:GE, NASA Partner to advance the future of electric flight by simongr3dal on Saturday September 28, 2019 @11:29PM (#21104860)
If this method is so simple and so superior in saving energy would it not be the norm for fossil fueled air travel today?
Re:GE, NASA Partner to advance the future of electric flight by kbr2000 on Sunday September 29, 2019 @10:10AM (#21107120)
In order to move to your destination, after vertical take-off you would then need to fall down a bit first in order to pick up speed before transitioning to gliding (to get wind over your wings, which provides lift to turn and fly in the right direction).

You might want to ditch those empty batteries also at the right point :)

Re:GE, NASA Partner to advance the future of electric flight by newnewpdro on Sunday September 29, 2019 @12:02AM (#21104989)
Nit: There is no vertical landing in what you're describing, so VTOL doesn't seem appropriate.
Re:GE, NASA Partner to advance the future of electric flight by iyw on Sunday September 29, 2019 @03:05AM (#21105577)
aim straight down