2006-07-17 16:57:02 · 3 answers · asked by gregva2001 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Hey Bud!
I was wondering when you were gonna ask that one!
Popular Science had a great article on Ground Effect Vehicles/aircraft a couple of years ago.
The Russians have several very large Ground Effect in the planning stage and I know that Boeing was also looking at one as well.
The Russian design, the Ekranoplan was a huge aircraft at 540 tonnes and bigger designs were completed and tested.
Boeing also has it's Pelican design WIG (wing in Ground Effect)
Here's a couple sites I found with some good info.
PS: I do think that if there is any hope at reviving large aircraft capable of intercontinental travel with lots of room for passengers to walk around, sleep, and generally enjoy the journey....this is it.
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/aerodynamics/q0130.shtml
http://aeroweb.lucia.it/rap/RAFAQ/WIG.html
http://www.hydrofoils.org/Wig/wig.html
Cheers!
2006-07-17 18:24:18 · answer #1 · answered by helipilot212 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Change is hard for big business. They've been doing aviation transport of people the same for the last 50 years or so.
2006-07-18 21:11:26 · answer #2 · answered by planedws 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's been considered. Boeing designed one, but I have no idea why they never built it. I think it's a great idea.
2006-07-18 01:02:14 · answer #3 · answered by David T 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋