The future is AWESOME

[tombfyre]

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Here we have the Aeroscraft, a modern take on the Airship. They're developing a military version, a cargo carrying version, and a passenger version with various sub models. The thing looks like a flying cruise ship, or ferry. And with a very respectable top speed of 220km/h, it can definitely get you where you want to go in a hurry. The main

Comments

[ravenworks]

Wow o_o I had not heard about *any* of these... The first one has me the most excited! I was just wondering a few days ago how the idea of airships managed to just completely disappear into history... I'm not sure if I see how they would avoid the need for security checkpoints, but they would sure make the process of flying a whole lot more comfortable! Plus, with the lack of a need for runways, and the fact that it can serve so many people... am I crazy to think that in the long run, the cost-per-person could come down to be comparable to airplanes? (At least, if you're headed somewhere that enough people are going to actually fill up one of those things...)

To be honest though, there's just something nice about the thought of drifting somewhere inside of a giant foomped-up blimpy macro orca of the sky ;)

[tombfyre]

Aye, the giant inflated whale-ride would definitely be something to consider. ^..^

I have no doubt that the cost per person could come down quite a bit. The thing with lighter than air travel, is once you've actually built the thing, its cost of operation is considerably lower than that of a jet plane. Considering it can just hover at altitude with no power usage to speak of, really makes for a potential cost savings.

Its entirely possible that the cost of one of these things would be taken care of in passenger revenue much faster than that of a conventional airplane. So yar! Might just see cheap tickets and then some.

As for the security angle, I'm sure they'd still need some. But I'm not sure you'd need as much. Airships are a little more sturdy in the air than a jet liner. Even if you managed to blow a big hole in the thing, all you'd do is vent some of its helium, and force it to land somewhere.

[tolstoythebear]

The way people are nowadays, they want to get from point A to point B quick, fast and in a hurry. I can't see that first project going very far. As a cargo carrier, perhaps yes but I doubt it would replace much cheaper surface transports or ships. That second one looks promising but they've been working on that for quite some time. Like the Concorde, it's always too much money. Plus hydrogen is only as green as the means used to produce it. I'm glad people are at least looking into this, though.

[tombfyre]

The Airship might work, if people change their priorities somewhat. ^^ Sure the time it takes to make a long trip might double, but you won't spend 2 hours on each end getting to and from an airport. There might be a time savings on the whole, or at least an equaling. Plus the added personal space alone will likely make it worthwhile. Personally I'd rather like being able to lounge about a 5100 square foot space rather than be confined to a tiny chair in a metal tube.

And yes, we'll have to see where the A2 goes in terms of practicality. If they run into the same problems as the Concorde, it may never get off the ground.

[tombfyre]

Yar, they're definitely pushing for comfort over packing people in like sardines. ^^