NASA Testing Leaptech Wing

[nauga]

Which means we really should have multimotor certs, as there are a few prototype electric aircraft out there….

We're gonna make somebody's head explode at FAA HQ.

Nauga,
leaping headlong into the 20th century

 

[MAKG1]

thermal energy to mechanical motion, any source of energy to mechanical motion.

Nauga,
was, not was

Waitaminit….

Never thought of it this way, but does that mean a glider is a motor?

 

[Henning]

I dunno, I think I'm with MAKG on this one, it comes from them not being funny

So back to the subject at hand, would it make sense to cert a configuration like this as multi engine (motor) when loss of a single motor is probably not significant in terms of handling or performance; or powered lift, since a high percentage of the lift improvement is due to propulsive effects, or....? Maybe multi-engine powered-lift? IME new concepts like this rarely consider cert minutiae like this but it's fun to think about.

Nauga,
and the head of a pin

Does a B-52 require ME training? I think once the potential for asymmetric thrust exists, they will always require an ME. It's not like it's a difficult rating to attain.

 

[Clark1961]

What's with the ad hominem?

Dude, you need decaf the same as or worse than Steve.

 

[Circuit Flyer]

NASA engine-eers have all been RIF'ed (no manned space flight program anymore, don'tcha know), so all flight design is left to the lesser-known motor-eers. While "engine out" is a term I hear a lot, "motor out" is virtually unheard-of. Nicola Tesla rides again.

 

[Henning]

NASA engine-eers have all been RIF'ed (no manned space flight program anymore, don'tcha know), so all flight design is left to the lesser-known motor-eers. While "engine out" is a term I hear a lot, "motor out" is virtually unheard-of. Nicola Tesla rides again.

Uhh, as a person who runs Deisel Electic rigs frequently, I beg to differ with your observation on the frequency of 'motor-out' events.

 

[Clark1961]

Uhh, as a person who runs Diesel Electric rigs frequently, I beg to differ with your observation on the frequency of 'motor-out' events.

752's are pretty reliable...but just a bit heavy for yer average 182...

 

[nauga]

Does a B-52 require ME training? I think once the potential for asymmetric thrust exists, they will always require an ME.

Sure, but the configuration in question could also qualify as powered-lift (the B-52 does not) - but there is no ME powered lift. Also note that asymmetric thrust is not the only determinant for ME, as the ME/Centerline thrust limitation is available. Also note that there are military airplanes with definite VMC characteristics that only qualify as ME/Centerline equivalent because there is no published VMC, only an AOA limit (e.g. F/A-18).

So the question of how a multi-engine powered-lift electric airplane with unique flight characteristics would be certified is a valid one.

edt: Looks like the FAA considers only aircraft capably of *vertical* takeoff and landing as powered-lift, not STOL or ESTOL. So it would be multi-engine then, I guess.

Nauga,
who has been through this before

 

[bflynn]

An airplane with "regenerative air brakes." I'm no glider pilot but I would think that there would have to be a fair amount of excess updrafts to be able to regenerate any appreciable amount of electricity.

There is some R&D work going on in this field right now. The basic idea is to make a super efficient wing, then use the propellers as generator/air brakes to keep the unit just above stall speed while it flies in a circle on a tether.. Great potential for emergencies, third world applications, etc.