Ricardian soon to fly on electric and hydrogen powered aircraft to Kirkwall?

[CharlieOneSix]

BBC News website:

Low-carbon aircraft to be trialled in Orkney
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-no ... d-55733908

[TheGreenGoblin]

BBC News website:

Low-carbon aircraft to be trialled in Orkney
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-no ... d-55733908

Interesting news. We rely on our man in the Orkneys to feed us all the gen. necessary.

[G-CPTN]

it makes sense to pioneer alternative-powered aircraft over the short distances flown around Orkney.

[llondel]

Just thinking, they could have a wind turbine to electrolyse the water to produce the hydrogen, makes a nice sort of symmetry using a prop to provide the energy to drive a prop. I guess plan B would be to have a big elastic band inside that was attached to the prop - align it appropriately with the wind while on the ground and let the wind wind it up, then turn it round and let it unwind to take off.

[4mastacker]

With some of the short distances involved, why not use a BFO elastic band and a catapult?

[Alisoncc]

Need to think outside the box. Recent discussion here about 7.1 magnitude earthquake effect on South Shetland Islands. Did it move the islands any closer to the other Shetland Isles. If so just repeat continuously until within coo-ee distance.

[ian16th]

Which is the 'airport' that uses the beach when the tide is out?

Can you imaging the tense sphincters, while looking at the rate of charge versus the tide table?

[CharlieOneSix]

Which is the 'airport' that uses the beach when the tide is out?

That's Barra - but it's the other side of Scotland in the Outer Hebrides.

[TheGreenGoblin]

We have had plate tectonics, twisted rubber bands so perhaps I could suggest 2 giant trebuchets (one on either island) and a parachute (to be repacked as necessary) as the means to aid Ricardian's inter island trips.

[G-CPTN]

Some years ago, there was a development of a high-speed flywheel that was intended to power a commercial vehicle.

Maybe it could be used for a small aircraft?

[llondel]

Some years ago, there was a development of a high-speed flywheel that was intended to power a commercial vehicle.

Maybe it could be used for a small aircraft?

Might make banking a bit difficult.

[PHXPhlyer]

Good point!

PP

[Rwy in Sight]

I haven't read the conveyor belt thread on TOP but why not use it here?

[CharlieOneSix]

BBC News website

A hybrid-electric aircraft is to be flown between Orkney and Caithness as part of a plan to reduce harmful emissions in the Highlands and Islands.

An interesting concept. It's not that obvious from the BBC article that this is a 337 - piston engine at the rear and electric up front.

[Pontius Navigator]

Really unique.

Unique is an absolute and requires no modifier.

[Boac]

"ON99 - Downwind for a short circuit""

[ian16th]

"ON99 - Downwind for a short circuit""

That's fine, as long as you have a successful 'grounding' at the end!

[Boac]

What - you mean 'down to earth with a bump'?

[llondel]

Be careful if you know there are headwinds and someone says "no extra charge".

[ricardian]

Large wave-powered generator
Orkney already produces over 110 percent of its energy requirements. Alas, we cannot export power because the cables across the Pentland Firth are already running at full capacity