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slowslownotbad t1_j5ipzcr wrote

Reply to comment by ALittleSnooInMyPoo in Seattle-based Jetoptera is developing a vertical takeoff aircraft that can travel at almost 1,000 km/h with a radically simplified new type of engine. With almost no moving parts, it uses super-compressed air to create vortexes for thrust. by lughnasadh

Yeah, alternate fuel stuff seems complicated but it's basically a scenario-based planning exercise. Like, I'm gonna do a long overwater flight to a remote destination, so I need gas for depressurization or single engine failure or weather holding/divert. I'm legally required to carry gas for certain things at certain times, and I can add extra if I want to. But I need to plan to arrive at a low enough fuel state that I can land below maximum landing weight.

That last point is gonna be most limiting for ammonia fuel in certain missions; because NH3 is less energy dense, it will require pilots to routinely land with a greater fuel load of unburned contingency gas. This will cut into usable payload.

So it's not a perfect solution, but it's got tonnes of promise.

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