could there be such thing as a hybrid airplane?

Question

we have hybrid cars could they make airplanes that could run that way too?

Answer 1

Not likely, because Hybrids really get their power by storing the braking energy and re-using it again.

So when a car is moving at 40miles per hour it has a lot of stored
energy. Think: 40mph x 2500lbs!

This energy is usually disipated (wasted) as heat when you brake.
Hybrids engage a generator when they brake to create electricity that is stored in batteries. They do this in addition to using regular friction-type brakes.

The batteries are used to power electric motors to supplement the car's gasoline motor.

It's really just a recycling system.

Now an Airplane has A LOT of potential energy. Think 600mph x 30,000 lbs x 30,000 feet (altitude is a store of energy too if you drop a rock from a tall building, more energy is released than if you drop it from a foot above the ground, right?)

But how would you capture it?

An airplane disipates it's energy through friction with the air. The pilot turns down the engines, and angles the plane in such a way that the wings act more like a parachute than a plane (a simple explanation).

If you can think of a way to capture this energy and store it, then yes, you'll have a hybrid plane. But chances are it would be impractical.

Answer 2

There are a couple of issues. One is that airplane engines run at a constant rpm so there is no real load change on the engine other than landing or taking off. The second is that storage batteries are extremely heavy and the fuel savings would have to exceed the weight gain for any efficiency. Another is that the kinetic energy that is produced by braking would never happen, so that there would be little opportunity to recharge the batteries.
However in the case of diesel electric trains, they use the engine to power the generator which powers the electric engines. In a case like that all we would need to make it feasible is a breakthrough in the battery technology that would allow the weight factor to be minimized. Than there could be a possible future for hybrid airplanes.

Answer 3

Yes! Why not? Hybrid airplanes and other hybrid aircraft are a thing of the future. When those in the 'hybrid aircraft' industry use this term, they are referring to a form of hybrid that combines the aerodynamic lift of the body hull shape combined with the lighter-than-air properties of the buoyancy derived from a helium-filled outer shell. The proposed airplane provided with future-oriented technology concerns a hybrid airplane with the synergetic advantage, that every component which is necessary for a rotation symmetric vertical take off and landing, also can be used for a mirror symmetric cruise, whilst during take-off, cruise-flight and landing the demanded lift will be generated in a hybrid way using dynamic lift and static buoyancy. It would not serve to be efficient & economical at the same time. But for the sake of invention it would be a great human achievement.

Answer 4

Hybrid technology will likely not ever make it into aircraft due to their sensitivity to the increased weight that is required. However, there are efforts being made to change the types of fuels that aircraft use, such as switching ALL aircraft to Jet Fuel/Diesel, which is cheaper to make, and has a higher gallon per barrell output, meaning it takes less oil to produce. I am sure that in the next 100 years, aircraft will see many changes in their designs and powerplants, but whatever it it, it will have to be light.

Answer 5

Yes, but I don't know of any yet produced. It takes a whole lot more power to get airborne and climb to altitude, - than it does to "cruise (as long as you are will ing to fly near minumum crusing speed!)

There are several "gliders" that have engines used for take off, and when they get up a few thousand feet, - the engine is shut off, (and in several it is actually retracted into the fuselage to minimize drag)...... Depending on the tempertatre , and wind (if any) they can stay up for many hours! However it is somewhat of a problem if the wind isn't moving in the general direction you want to go (if traveling cross country)! This can be overcome to some extent by finding the right altitide and getting helpful air flow in your intended direction, - there are different directions the wind blows at certian altitudes! But generally the glider pilot flys because he likes to fly (and match wits with the "thermals")!

NASA has a totally electric multi engined experimental (almost glider) aircraft -(unmanned) That uses batteries to get airborne, and reach "altitude", -- after it stops climbing manuever, - it depends on solar cells to maintain it's battery levels and supply power. They have flew around 35-60 thousand feet altitude for real long time periods, - taking off before dawn, - and staying up till after the sun has disappeared behind the earth, -(making solar power stop charging!)

So I would guess that it is only a matter of time till somebody comes up with a workable one, (maybe it has already been done by now)!

Answer 6

No.
number one its way to heavy and would rob the plane of max tow weight.
number two is hybrid car engines creat no thrust which after lift is the second principal of powered flight so in other words its important.

Answer 7

Sure. They could use a mix of fuel and solar power. The aircraft would use more fuel during take off and climbs, but once at altitude, it would transition to more solar power to sustain flight. Overall, fuel consumption could be reduced considerably.

Answer 8

No the weight would be too great for an aircraft

Answer 9

good question but no.. the enemy of flight is weight and no one would put batterys and elect motors on a plane.