Reality check: The existing "electric plane" designs barely keep themselves
aloft and have a niche as orbiting reflectors but not as cargo carriers.
With chemistry one can start with most anything and get anything else,
within reason, but not at reasonable cost. Fir high performance aircraft,
there is no real substitute for jet fuel: if other sources are found for
ground transportation, jet fuel will be saved for aircraft. As for AG, where
is the theory that says that does not require substantial power ? CF is a
very long way from producing useful net power.
Mike Carrell
-----------------------------------
In reply to Wesley Bruce's message of Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:22:44 +1100:
Hi,
[snip]
Harry Veeder wrote:
We are still a long way away from electric air craft with two
exceptions. Solar electric drones or airships and hybrid aircraft. If
There is no need for electric planes at all. Chemists can easily make jet
fuel
from Biological energy sources, though perhaps not very efficiently.
Furthermore, using betteries in cars would free up lots of existing
hydrocarbons
for use in jet fuel. Consequently jets will probably be the last remaining
users
of hydrocarbons. At least until we conquer anti-gravity, at which point
they
will also be replaced, because AG craft can be powered from an electrical
source, which in turn can be derived from CF. Of course something like a
NERVA/jet engine cross, where the power is supplied by CF might also
eliminate
hydrocarbon consumption in jets.
Regards,
Robin van Spaandonk
http://users.bigpond.net.au/rvanspaa/
Competition provides the motivation,
Cooperation provides the means.
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