"Charles Lindbergh" wrote in message
news:536qia95letq28spe7qsre7g10cq6kmrt6@4ax.com...
>
> Is In-Flight Refueling Coming to Commercial Airlines? (Op-Ed)
It's been a consideration since the advent of long-range air routes. It's
OK for military use, but for civilians there are other concerns:
• Safety of the passengers in case of
accidental detachment of (part of) the
refueling system
• Sufficient clearance between cruiser and
feeder with possibility for safe separation
• Minimum discomfort for passengers
during refueling (due to maneuvers and
noise)
• Minimum additional weight and space
reservation penalty on the cruiser
• Minimum workload and additional
training for the cruiser crew
• Minimum impact on cruiser engine sizing
(flying in the downwash of the leading
aircraft, at cruise speed and altitude,
demands extra thrust as for climbing)
Plus there is a long way to go before it becomes financially practical
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/tech_ops/read.main/226906/
http://aerosociety.com/Assets/Docs/Greener%20by%20Design/Paper%20%289%29%20Raj%20Nangia.pdf
http://www.cruiser-feeder.eu/downloads/icas-2014-conceptual-design-of-a-passenger-air.pdf
|
|