PILOT SPIN
Pilot Zone => Pilot Zone => Topic started by: PeterNSteinmetz on October 02, 2021, 09:05:30 AM
-
Interesting. Can others comment on past attempts at something like this?
https://www.yahoo.com/news/airbus-created-plane-concept-wings-141238150.html
-
It was difficult to find any concrete description of their technology. All I could find was:
“Various technology bricks will be investigated to enable the active control of the wing, including: gust sensors, pop-up spoilers or plates that are rapidly deflected perpendicular to airflow, multifunctional trailing edges that dynamically change wing surface in flight and a semi-aeroelastic hinge.”
That’s underwhelming, IMHO, because each technique has been used in production aircraft, though not all in a single vehicle so far as I know. I know there has been studies and demos of morphing wings practically since the Wright brothers (e.g. wing warping).
-
I dunno. It’s like the washing machine. The design was perfected sometime last century and it’s only gone downhill since. I think wings are about right. Trying to make them more green can’t end well. Especially if you start introducing moving parts and electronic sensors and controls.
-
Wing technology has increased substantially since the 80’s. Wings are far more efficient compared to the 50’s and 60’s designs (Douglas, Boeing, MD, Lockheed, etc).
Another huge leap came with Airbus and Boeing designs in the 90’s and later.
-
Wing technology has increased substantially since the 80’s. Wings are far more efficient compared to the 50’s and 60’s designs (Douglas, Boeing, MD, Lockheed, etc).
Another huge leap came with Airbus and Boeing designs in the 90’s and later.
A buddy of mine flew KC-135s in the USAF in Vietnam and for SAC before going to United. (He said in the ANG for many years after.) He flew 727, 737, 757, and 767. He loved the 727, and was a flight engineer and FO on it. He said that wing was made to fly fast, and not fly slowly, and it took some little tricks not to have Navy landings in it.
He flew the 727 that is in Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry about two weeks before some check airman flew it into Meigs field one last time before being barged to the museum. He said he signed the inside lid of the ash tray, and wonders if that signature is still there.