Innovation in Air Transportation
Dallin Green
Writing 2010
Innovation In Air Transportation
Man has been flying in planes since the Wright Brothers successfully flew their man made plane in 1903. Since then there have been new developments that have helped make flying more efficient and safe, but the manner in which we fly has relatively stayed the same. People board a plane, fly to a certain altitude and land safely back on the ground. A plane usually has 2 wings, turbine engines and a cockpit in the front. In today’s economy, planes are the preferred way of travel. They are quick, safe, reliable, and still somewhat affordable depending upon your own personal financial situation. Airplanes are overall a great and safe way to travel. But what other innovations are out there? Is somebody taking this technology to come up with a new way to travel? Are we exploring all of the possibilities, and resources that are available to us to better utilize this way of travel? The answer seems to be pointing to space. Sub Orbital travel is the next step in the world of air travel. Many different companies are spending millions of dollars on research and develop in new technologies and concepts to make this happen. After looking into some of the designs and concepts, I was able to get a good idea as to where the next step in flight is going to be. NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, are staying busy trying to keep up to date on all the new technologies out there. The biggest hindrance that is getting a lot of attention in aviation is the cost of fuel and how to use it better. Fuel is currently taking up 25 percent of the operating costs of flight. NASA is working to develop new technologies that will help cut fuel costs anywhere from 60 to 70 percent. One technique that they are exploring is redesigning the wings of planes. Right now the majority of commercial planes are getting their lift for flight 100 percent from their wings. By redesigning the body of the plane to make it
Writing 2010
Innovation In Air Transportation
Man has been flying in planes since the Wright Brothers successfully flew their man made plane in 1903. Since then there have been new developments that have helped make flying more efficient and safe, but the manner in which we fly has relatively stayed the same. People board a plane, fly to a certain altitude and land safely back on the ground. A plane usually has 2 wings, turbine engines and a cockpit in the front. In today’s economy, planes are the preferred way of travel. They are quick, safe, reliable, and still somewhat affordable depending upon your own personal financial situation. Airplanes are overall a great and safe way to travel. But what other innovations are out there? Is somebody taking this technology to come up with a new way to travel? Are we exploring all of the possibilities, and resources that are available to us to better utilize this way of travel? The answer seems to be pointing to space. Sub Orbital travel is the next step in the world of air travel. Many different companies are spending millions of dollars on research and develop in new technologies and concepts to make this happen. After looking into some of the designs and concepts, I was able to get a good idea as to where the next step in flight is going to be. NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, are staying busy trying to keep up to date on all the new technologies out there. The biggest hindrance that is getting a lot of attention in aviation is the cost of fuel and how to use it better. Fuel is currently taking up 25 percent of the operating costs of flight. NASA is working to develop new technologies that will help cut fuel costs anywhere from 60 to 70 percent. One technique that they are exploring is redesigning the wings of planes. Right now the majority of commercial planes are getting their lift for flight 100 percent from their wings. By redesigning the body of the plane to make it
Cited: Ashley, Steven. "Radical Planes Take Shape." Bbc.com. N.p., 7 Nov. 2012. Web. 7 Apr. 2013. Beard, Suzette, and Janice Starzyk. Space Tourism Market Study. Rep. Futron Corp, Oct. 2002. Web. <http://orbitalcommerceproject.com/refdocs/STMS_Suborbital.pdf>. Owen, Chris. "Space Travel For All Of Us Is Closer Than You Think." Gadling.com. Gadling, 3 Feb. 2013. Web. 07 Apr. 2013. Walton, John. "Australian Business Traveller." Australian Business Traveller. Australian Business Traveller, 5 Aug. 2011. Web. 07 Apr. 2013.