Quote:
Originally Posted by KNS
The challenges may end up being too great but the rewards are high - fuel economy and reduced emissions which are driving a lot development right now, both of which blended wing show strides.
Engine placement is not insurmountable, that alone wouldn't nix the move forward. Those challenges have been met before (look at seaplanes).
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Sideways pods is still a long way different from top mounted pods..
Sideway, you can still roll up equipment besides the plane to lift the engine pod.
Top mounted, no you can't. you need a big crane with lots of reach.
And sure, you can roll equipment inbetween the V
But you still have to reach up top
It'll be heavy equipment that needs to go up and out.
And you are working inside the V, so pain in the hole, risk of damaging the fuselage cause you are working in a cramped corner.
This alone does not kill off the design.
But it's a combination of things that well, airlines aren't waiting for.
They want somethign that works for them
not something they need to change their ways and infrastructure for.
Most successful designs have pods hanging down
Because it keeps the maintenance turnaround time low.
This design, does not
it just adds complications
- Engine Maintenance
- Weight distribution
- Roll rate
- Wider landing gear foot print needs wider taxiways
- Different gate requirements
- Different evacuation needs
- ... other.
Aviation, and especially civil commercial aviation has been for the most part evolutionary, not revolutionary.. Because well, It's safer in terms of safety. but also in terms of economics.
a typical Airliner today, looks similar to an airliner in the 60ies.
Obvious different details, like winglets and what not.. but it's still a long tube, 2 wings, 1 stab and 2 elevators
and engines hanging offf the wing because of maintenance benefit
Look at Concorde.. revolutionary.. but Gone
Engines in the stab.. gone
podded engines above the elevators, gone
Seaplanes.. pretty much gone as well.
It's natural selection really..