Re:GE, NASA Partner to advance the future of electric flight
by HocusLocus on Sunday September 29, 2019 @09:24PM
(#21110958)
Pilots don't like to run out of fuel.
When pilots are unhappy, passengers are unhappy.
Pilots know exactly how much fuel they have. It can be measured precisely. They know how long it will last whether the airplane is hot or cold.
Batteries are managed by statistics, guesswork, thermal readings that may not be accurate, snake oil calculations, factory assembly methods applied to solids (not mixed liquids like fuel) and a measure of overzealous investor confidence.
In order to advance the future of electric flight, first we must find a pilot who does not mind running out of fuel. Such as a robot maybe. And passengers who don't care if the pilot is happy. Or just don't tell them there isn't a human pilot.
When pilots are unhappy, passengers are unhappy.
Pilots know exactly how much fuel they have. It can be measured precisely. They know how long it will last whether the airplane is hot or cold.
Batteries are managed by statistics, guesswork, thermal readings that may not be accurate, snake oil calculations, factory assembly methods applied to solids (not mixed liquids like fuel) and a measure of overzealous investor confidence.
In order to advance the future of electric flight, first we must find a pilot who does not mind running out of fuel. Such as a robot maybe. And passengers who don't care if the pilot is happy. Or just don't tell them there isn't a human pilot.
Heads up!