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Boeing to Develop a Fuel Cell Powered Airplane

Posted by chrisd on from the lightest-element dept.

gilgsn writes: "From Yahoo News: Boeing is working with a light airplane manufacturer in Spain on a fuel cell powered plane. The efficiency of electric motors, with their reliability, acceleration, lack of vibrations and noise has a lot to offer to general aviation. The project aims at exploring environmentally friendly modes of propulsion. I can easily imagine a hybrid aircraft using fuel cell technology for take-off and altitude gain, coupled with solar cells to sustain flight. I hope a kitplane manufacturer in the United States will read this. I can't wait to fly a fuel cell powered ultralight!" CD: The question is can a fuel cell deliver enough energy for a flight long enough to be practical.

3 of 205 comments (clear)

  1. Electric? by Komarosu · · Score: 3, Funny

    Eletric plane? what about a power drop? it needs a UPS i tell you :)

    --

    "What do you mean you have no ice? Do you expect me to drink this coffee hot?" - Random Customer, Clerks
  2. Re:Hydrogen doesn't explode � by steve_bryan · · Score: 2, Funny

    We're still uncertain if the Heisenberg exploded. On the other hand the Hindenberg did have an explosive demise.

  3. Re:In Principle, yes... by hotgrits · · Score: 2, Funny

    Offtopic? Sheesh. Make a joke and it goes over like a lead zeppelin.