Quote:
Originally Posted by KNS
If blended wing/flying wing "takes off" (Airbus has some designs in the works) it will most likely be with freighters. All the issues with passengers - embarking/disembarking, inflight - will not be a concern.
The demand for new freighters and cargo conversions has skyrocketed since COVID.
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But center of mass becomes an even bigger issue with freight.
rollrate reduces dramatically when you load up weight off the center line..
And rollrate is quite important at mittigating crosswinds at landing.
furthermore, the engine maintenance/replacement still poses a massive problem.
I doubt it makes for a viable shift in design for just 1 part of the market.
Now a plane is designed and can do both.
Seasonal change in requirements (more vacationers in summer ) well you just install seats and you have a commercial people plane.. sudden increase in package needs. put seats back in.
Same for pilots.. new pilots will probably find it easier to get their hours in on freighters , they grind their hours on freight, then move up to people flying..
Not really going to happen if they use completely different designs. it's a hindrance.
Having 2 completely different designs just kills off any hopes of flexible use.. And that's what makes a plane design successfull and economical