Hybrid Airplanes
The airplane can be hybrid i.e powered with fuel and electricity. The concept of using the combination of fuel and electricity to power the airplane seems a nice idea but it also has certain drawbacks. Boeing has already developed a manned airplane powered by hydrogen fuel cell. The plane has minimal noise and causes almost no air pollution.
In today’s time, traveling by air is the fastest and the most convenient way of getting from one place to another. Aircraft manufacturers are continuously researching and trying to build planes with more capacity, less maintenance costs and better fuel economy. If an airplane is highly maneuverable, it is designed to be unstable.
The airplane can be hybrid i.e powered with fuel and electricity. The concept of using the combination of fuel and electricity to power the airplane seems a nice idea but it also has certain drawbacks. Boeing has already developed a manned airplane powered by hydrogen fuel cell. The plane has minimal noise and causes almost no air pollution. One of other interesting project i.e Sunseeker is a solar powered airplane by Eric Raymond. Hybrid planes have a high initial setup and building cost as compared to maintenance.
There are also concepts of gravity powered airplane which are out. They fly with force of gravity and don’t need any fuel. The idea is a bit far-fetched for commercial airliners but is worth reading.