Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Getting 45 MPG at 207 MPH .... can you pulse and glide an airplane?

SentraSE-R · 11-04-2009, 01:06 AM

Yes, if you had a plane that was essentially a powered glider. Bart Rutan's Voyager that made its nonstop around-the-world flight was exactly that, and traveled about 25,000 miles on about 8300 lbs of fuel. At 6 lbs/gal, that's only 20 mpg, but they were hauling over 9000 lbs. of weight on a plane that only weighed 939 lbs empty.

11-04-2009, 01:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
SentraSE-R Pishtaco Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 1,485 Mean Green Toaster Machine - '06 Scion xB Team Toyota 90 day: 48.92 mpg (US) Thanks: 56 Thanked 286 Times in 181 Posts	Yes, if you had a plane that was essentially a powered glider. Bart Rutan's Voyager that made its nonstop around-the-world flight was exactly that, and traveled about 25,000 miles on about 8300 lbs of fuel. At 6 lbs/gal, that's only 20 mpg, but they were hauling over 9000 lbs. of weight on a plane that only weighed 939 lbs empty. __________________ Darrell Boycotting Exxon since 1989, BP since 2010 Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? George Carlin Mean Green Toaster Machine 49.5 mpg avg over 53,000 miles. 176% of '08 EPA Best flat drive 94.5 mpg for 10.1 mi Longest tank 1033 km (642 mi) on 10.56 gal = 60.8 mpg