Good for a laugh or a cry (Gravity Plane)

[ConnClark]

This is good for a laugh or a cry when you realize someone actually invested in it (or accepted money to do research on it).

The Gravity Plane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPbu5UeW4uk

[inanitydefined]

Biggest problem I see... What use is it? The design has near nil passenger or cargo space, and using bouancy to generate lift would mean cargo mass would have to be tiny in proportion. It *may* work as a toy or a single seater but has zero commercial use

[chumly]

[QUOTE=inanitydefined;430 It *may* work as a toy or a single seater but has zero commercial use[/QUOTE]

"They" said the same thing about the airplane way back when. It does seem pretty far fetched but you never know, someone might be able to do something similar someday. We did go to the moon since then. Chumly

[P-hack]

it is interesting, haven't done the math, but seems possible, am i missing something obvious (aside from wind drift)?

[P-hack]

the basic question is how much energy does it take to compress the bouyancy fluid vs how much you can borrow on glide. if you arent in a hurry but still want distance made good, then maybe... using the compressed air for thrust before ascending is clever, i dont know if floating is fail safe if the compressed air leaks though. will need ground anchor if unattended

[Cobb]

Im sure newtons laws will hold true regardless of the mode or travel. It cant be created or destroyed and you can never get more out than you put in.

Now solar or nuclear powered is another story. Nothing like a nuclear scram jet.

[sheepdog 44]

I imagine is has a very impractical top speed. And the slow climb up and descent glide down makes you wonder what purpose it would have.

[Superfuelgero]

Drone. Much like historical use of lighter than air craft for 150 years.

[P-hack]

Originally Posted by Cobb

Im sure newtons laws will hold true regardless of the mode or travel.

Yah probably, the energy to compress for descent is likely the same as the energy gained in climbing (minus many losses along the way). Wish I knew how to do that math.

My money is on solar impulse.

[basjoos]

Another variation on the scam of the perpetual motion machine. Interestingly there is something similar to this currently operating in the world's oceans (google "underwater glider"), but underwater gliders don't make the claim of using no fuel. Underwater gliders use battery power to make the buoyancy changes to travel very efficiently for months through the ocean. Look up the Navy's Liberdade class underwater gliders.