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slavetomypassions92 t1_is2jssk wrote

I fully embrace this electric future we’re moving towards and electric aircraft would be a huge step considering how many people have to travel by air.

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Duckbilling t1_is3ljc8 wrote

Hey! The only positive comment in the thread.

isn't it great how much R&D is going on? So, soo cool.

Anyway, thank you.

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froginbog t1_is42xyd wrote

Love seeing comments like yours. Keep up the good attitude ✌️

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Duckbilling t1_is5vs7y wrote

Just a guess, the people poo pooing advancements in R&D are not the ones doing the science 😎

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Brachamul t1_is2yslt wrote

We could also build more damn trains.

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deck_hand t1_is57la5 wrote

More passenger trains would be excellent. We really need rail lines that we don't have to share with freight, and freight having the priority... Nearly all of the problems with Amtrak are due to freight companies controlling the tracks.

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Brachamul t1_is5e6yi wrote

I'm not in the US but in France where the rail infrastructure is quite good. And still, we need more.

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Xam-mjinbh t1_is3nqyw wrote

I wonder if an all electric plane would be any bit quieter; like an airliner etc.

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Bozzzzzzz t1_is4eki1 wrote

Would think so. Not silent though. Assuming we’re talking propeller driven aircraft (don’t see how jet propulsion could be electrified?) it would sound like a bigger lower buzzy drone sound I imagine.

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deck_hand t1_is57dvy wrote

There will always be prop noise. We can also power shrouded fans by electric motor, and those are more efficient than open props. A "turbofan" is a shrouded fan driven by a turbine, and it's currently the most efficient way to propel an airplane.

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Bozzzzzzz t1_is5pktj wrote

Shrouded makes sense. A turbofan relies on combustion though as I understand it so not sure that could be replicated with electric only. Could be some way to get more power / efficiency out of electric only systems that has yet to be invented but electric is already more efficient than IC engines (and I would have to think jet propulsion) so we’re already ahead just by going electric.

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deck_hand t1_is5pz2d wrote

Sorry I wasn't more clear. It is the "fan" part of turbofan that makes it efficient, not the "turbo" part. The turbine can and does create thrust, but it's relatively inefficient. So they add a "shrouded fan" to the output shaft of the turbine to increase the efficiency of the turbine.

We can add a "shrouded fan" to the output shaft of an electric motor to make the most efficient thrust from the output of the electric motor.

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Bozzzzzzz t1_is5qkdg wrote

Yeah no worries, I’m with you on the shrouded part.

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Can_swing t1_is4m41a wrote

Wouldn't this drastically reduce the cost of flying? Considering the cost of jet fuel is the biggest operating cost for a flight? Sure electric planes won't work for long haul, or intercontinental flights; electric planes are probably not going to have that much range. But for domestic or short 500km trips, it should become dirt cheap?

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