Electric Planes Usher in the Second Great Age of Aviation

Re:Electric Planes Usher in the Second Great Age of Aviation by fnordfnordfnord on Tuesday July 28, 2015 @10:32AM (#9961718)

I think we might see gasoline/jet-A over electric airplanes, perhaps with or without battery storage. That would allow a few neat optimizations. You'd have more control over CG. You could have a smaller high efficiency engine that always ran at peak efficiency (or an IC engine with several modes). You could have more control over noise in urban areas. With a battery for peak/boost power, you could have a tiny engine which could supply cruise plus accessory power and use battery-backed boost for takeoff/climb. Engines that are replaceable in a few hours. All kinds of good things could happen.

>Many airplanes are certified for a ramp, taxi, and takeoff weight higher than their approved landing weight.

Is that common in G/A aircraft?

In any case, I'd love to see a tech. revolution in GA powerplants. I've grown tired of having quaint old 1950's era tractor engines be the dominant technology.

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Re:Electric Planes Usher in the Second Great Age of Aviation by sokoloff on Tuesday July 28, 2015 @10:56AM (#9961933)

Once you get past about the 6200#/3000kg MGTOW mark, it's very common to permit takeoff weight to exceed landing weight.

I suspect all GA turbojets and most GA turboprops are in this situation.

Even the Beech Baron (a light twin) has a 100# (~16 gallons) difference in max takeoff vs max landing weight.

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