tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post3864257275631619534..comments2024-03-29T09:25:32.972-05:00Comments on Bayou Renaissance Man: First fuel-cell aircraft?Peterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-58796728299337037112009-07-21T17:18:59.626-05:002009-07-21T17:18:59.626-05:00I can see fuel cells - powered by either methanol ...I can see fuel cells - powered by either methanol or hydrogen being useful in such things as UAVs which were electrically powered anyway. Hydrogen isn't very portable but methanol is. That is, given stainless containers and viton seals, both of which are well understood. Never mind a massive market for all manner of portable electronic devices. <br /><br />As for this was-a-sailplane, it is a useful technology demonstrator, but is a bit of waste of a perfectly good sailplane otherwise, IMO.<br /><br />JimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-64163301944381042292009-07-21T17:01:16.202-05:002009-07-21T17:01:16.202-05:00I'm a fan of aviation technology, and this is ...I'm a fan of aviation technology, and this is cool and a step forward. <br /><br />Before we applaud this as green aviation, we must ask ourselves how much carbon was released in making the aircraft? I'd bet that the production of those cutting-edge composites causes a staggering amount of carbon dioxide. <br /><br />I'm convinced that man-made climate change is a hoax perpetuated on a gullible public by ne'er-do-well politicians, so who gives a damn? It's a cool airplane.Pawpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14959820068377494313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-40194811983517794602009-07-21T16:11:12.020-05:002009-07-21T16:11:12.020-05:00Reliable is not the same thing as economical. As ...Reliable is not the same thing as <i>economical</i>. As long as hydrogen is more expensive than gasoline per mile, fuel cells are a dream. It'll be decades before that dream becomes viable reality. There are much better ways to clean up air travel.Lorenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14843550881990596267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-47999682098668706702009-07-21T10:33:15.285-05:002009-07-21T10:33:15.285-05:00I suspect the FAA would want to extensively test t...I suspect the FAA would want to extensively test this before it would grant certification. The FAA is very conservative when it comes to aviation technology.<br /><br />Of course, they could always get an experimental certification but that wouldn't help any marketing plans.<br /><br />Wonder what the useful load would be?Crucishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15441911110953212619noreply@blogger.com