Gravity powered aircraft flies with no fuel

This is of course fantastic. I have always thought this would be possible when light enough yet strong enough materials were available. However, The obvious question is speed. Nothing has mentioned that yet. Though certainly it would out run a blimp, just how fast can one expect to go average with a full payload?

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- September 28, 2009 @ 09:09 pm

I have a feeling that this is a crazy idea. Air pressure at sea level is 14.5 lb. per sq. in. An amount of air equal in weight to the craft must be evacuated from the the pontoons in order to obtain buoyancy. By the way, buoyancy has nothing to do with gravity, but is related to the weight of fluid displaced.The structure must be rigid enough to withstand the crushing pressure on every square inch of the outside skin. Surely the structure would be too heavy in order to be strong enough. The Helium part of the idea is obviously tried and tested, but how is the craft directed? Wind is always a problem for dirigibles, even with the use of motors. Think what happens to a balloon in the wind. Also forward speed is necessary for control surfaces to be effective. Back to the drawing board!

windykites1

- September 29, 2009 @ 01:09 pm