Subject:
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Re: Historical fudging...
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Wed, 18 Dec 2002 22:15:56 GMT
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Viewed:
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436 times
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Thomas Stangl writes:
> Pedro Silva wrote:
>
> > In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Dave Schuler writes:
> > > In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Ronald Vallenduuk writes:
> > > > Oh dear,
> > > >
> > > > we wouldn't want the americans to be beaten at something, now would we...
> > >
> > > Impossible! We're the greatest nation in the country!
> > >
> > > Actually, I think the real test of an invention's precedence comes in its
> > > fecundity. It's all well and good that the ancient Greeks developed the
> > > principle of the steam engine, but if it wasn't used, then it's irrelevant
> > > except as a novelty of history.
> >
> > So... by today's standards, the Wright Bros. invented the *Motor-glider*,
> > and brazilian inventor Santos-Dumond invented the *Airplane*. I only say
> > this cuz' the WB control system *was not used in subsequent Airplanes* - I
> > mean, it is not practical to bend metal wings everytime the plane must take
> > a curve!
>
> That's why you make composite wings ;-)
>
> Actually, current research is moving away from the "ugly" or "dirty" flaps to wings
> that flex. Less drag, more control.
Hmmm... wouldn't composite wings prove too costly for large passenger planes?
They sure look like they can improve performance, and that is an invaluable
factor when we are talking about fighter-jets (for instance). But would the
increased cost be compensated by the decrease in fuel consumption, in the
case of civilian airplanes? If not, few companies would actually buy such
aircrafts for commercial duties! Maybe some corporate jets, yes...
In any case, it is a very interesting possibility.
Pedro
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Historical fudging...
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| (...) I suspect aircraft are expensive either way. The real question I would have is what would the psychological impact be on passengers who look out and see the wing of the aircraft bending up and down a lot? They might get additionally unnerved (...) (22 years ago, 18-Dec-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Historical fudging...
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| (...) That's why you make composite wings ;-) Actually, current research is moving away from the "ugly" or "dirty" flaps to wings that flex. Less drag, more control. -- Tom Stangl ***(URL) Visual FAQ home ***(URL) Bay Area DSMs (22 years ago, 18-Dec-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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