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Pod Planes Could Change Travel Forever (cnn.com)
Max_W writes: Every year we hear about people dying in plane crashes. This does not have to continue as there is a new revolutionary pod plane design [in the works via the Clip-Air project]. A passenger pod is not heavy because it does not contain fuel, engines, avionics, etc., so in case of an accident it can be ejected and land on parachutes. The obstacle to this new invention is that the whole obsolete airport and airline infrastructure must be rebuilt. So what? Shall we continue to get killed because it is easier to produce aircraft with a design from 1950s? The Clip-Air project is created by Switzerland's Federal Polytechnic Institute and consists of the flying component, which includes airframe, cockpit and engines, and the capsules, which are a number of detachable pods that can act as cabin or cargo hold, depending on the chosen configuration. What's particularly noteworthy about them is that they can allow passengers to board capsules well before a flight, and at a location besides an airport, such as a local bus station. As with any concept, many years of research and tests will be needed to validate the concept and turn it into a reality. Claudio Leonardi, manager of the Clip-Air project, and his team are preparing to build a small-scale Clip-Air prototype. They have already initiated some contacts with the aerospace industry.
One example that springs to mind is the Tenerife disaster of 1977, in which two airliners collided on the ground as one of them was taking off.
That problem is solved by the pod system as well.
Your plane isn't lifting fast enough, eject the luggage pod. Still not fast enough, now eject the economy class pod. Now granted the luggage and economy class pods have smashed into the ground and hundreds of passengers have died, but at least the pod carrier airplane is still intact and the first class passengers are still safe in their own first class pod which is still attached to the plane.
Oh come on, they're both in Sweden, probably near Helsinki.
if it took off and landed from solar runways.
You know, combine the most promising technologies available.
I for one, love that they put the "eject economy class" button right next to the button for coffee.
W..w..W - Willy Waterloo washes Warren Wiggins who is washing Waldo Woo.
Don't the majority of crashes occur on takeoff or landing?
One could argue that all crashes technically occur on landing. ;)
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The insane alt-right sure has been emboldened by Trump's vanity run for the Presidency. I wonder what you morons are going to do when America rejects your cheeto-messiah.
What if you just follow the instructions?
1) Light Fuse.
2) Get Away.
3) Pull Ripcord.
4) ????
5) Prophet!
No brain, no pain.