based on idea of shipping containers as units that are easily transferred to other transport,
"The key idea here, both in Clip-Air and Link & Fly, is that the aircraft is composed of two elements.
There's the flying component, including airframe, cockpit and engines.
Then there are the capsules, a number of detachable pods that can act as cabin or cargo hold, depending on the chosen configuration.
Both concept aircraft feature an arch-like airframe, with an elevated wing and the engines mounted on top. This makes it possible to place the cabin right underneath and attach and detach it easily."
Interesting. The Pods will have to have self contained services at least for the time from boarding to mating with the carrier.
These services can be provided by an umbilical cord on the vehicles used to carry them to the aircraft like an external air condition unit on the loading bridge.
Re: Pod planes
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 12:23 pm
by G-CPTN
It all seems too much like Thunderbirds - or even Dan Dare.
Re: Pod planes
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 4:27 pm
by Fox3WheresMyBanana
Seems aerodynamically inefficient. Thunderbird 2 had the pods integrated with the fuselage, avoiding this problem.
Interesting. The Pods will have to have self contained services at least for the time from boarding to mating with the carrier.
These services can be provided by an umbilical cord on the vehicles used to carry them to the aircraft like an external air condition unit on the loading bridge.
Indeed true, very much an infrastructure problem isn't it. Pod would need umbilicals at the pier, from transport to the carrier, and then mated to the carrier. Traditional aircraft arrive, empty the tube, reload and depart. For a triple pod, to save boarding time, you would need pods at the piers before the carrier arrives. Unloading and loading pods whilst the carrier refuels would probably take as long as the present system.
Re: Pod planes
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 4:50 pm
by ian16th
This reminds me of the Hawker Hunter and the Aden 30mm gunpod gunpack!
Much more like the "Skycrane". You were right about the need for special vehicles. Plus a number of spare pods left previously in the departure airport that can be boarded while the aircraft is still in the approach and rapidly exchanged after the aircraft shuts down on its parking spot. Than also means fewer contact gates and more remote stands and new pods-boarding points.
Re: Pod planes
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 5:53 pm
by Pontius Navigator
In that video the pods appear to have skids. You certainly don't want wheels that would be deadweight once airborne.
The other scheme I think was loading a mission pod into a C130.
Re: Pod planes
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 7:53 pm
by probes
Then the only point would be non-SLF, to save time when reloading? On the other hand, the pod is nothing as simple as a shipping container.
Btw, the 'could take air travel to new hights' was good. How high are the new ones, I wonder?
I personally would be scared the pod might slip off... although it wouldn't matter if you crash in a pod or aircraft, I guess.
Re: Pod planes
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2019 8:33 pm
by llondel
Could breathe new life into the old joke about the passengers arriving in Rome while their luggage arrives in Frankfurt. What happens if your pod ends up attached to the wrong aircraft?
Could breathe new life into the old joke about the passengers arriving in Rome while their luggage arrives in Frankfurt. What happens if your pod ends up attached to the wrong aircraft?
- at least your suitcase wouldn't end up upside down and open in the open field - not so rare, actually?
And, yes, Rws, it would be bad in all the 3 cases: pod crashing independently, pod crashing with an aircraft, aircraft crashing without a pod.
Could breathe new life into the old joke about the passengers arriving in Rome while their luggage arrives in Frankfurt. What happens if your pod ends up attached to the wrong aircraft?
- at least your suitcase wouldn't end up upside down and open in the open field - not so rare, actually?
And, yes, Rws, it would be bad in all the 3 cases: pod crashing independently, pod crashing with an aircraft, aircraft crashing without a pod.
The last one would be really really bad for the crew.
Re: Pod planes
Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2019 5:41 pm
by TheGreenGoblin
The LOCO airlines could have a special yob pod for the drunks and the disorderly. If they became too disorderly in flight, the pod could just be jettisoned (with or without a parachute) or alternatively the pod could be sealed (after any cabin crew had withdrawn to the main aircraft) and anesthetic gas piped into the container. Good night VIenna!
There could be a separate pod for children with screaming babies etc. etc.
