Silent plane would cut airport noise (AP/CNN)

[eppur_se_muova]

BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- A U.S.-British team of researchers from academia and the aerospace industry believes the passenger aircraft of the distant future will not only be fuel efficient, but virtually silent.

Leaders of a long-range research venture called the "Silent Aircraft Initiative" were scheduled Monday to release a conceptual design for a plane they say could cut through the air with practically no sound bothering those below, thanks to its unique shape and design features to limit engine noise.
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Even if he's right, don't expect to see -- or hear -- such a plane anytime soon. The project is aimed at establishing research knowledge that could lead to development of an aircraft by 2030. And whether such a plane could become a commercial success is anybody's guess.
***
The proposed plane is designed to carry 215 passengers and achieve fuel efficiency of 124 passenger-miles per gallon.

By comparison, Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, a fuel-efficient airliner due for delivery in 2008, is expected to achieve 100 passenger-miles per gallon on a typical flight, Boeing spokesman Adam Morgan said.


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more: http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/11/06/silent.aircraft.ap/index.html

It's worth noting that the principl obstacle to such designs (flying wing, or wing/body blend) is that they have limited views for the passengers -- many seat rows would have no windows, and the aircraft mfgrs have always avoided such designs. Maybe the decreasing cost of hi-res video will persuade the mfgrs to replace those crappy little windows with a large screen at each seat, and multiple camera views of the exterior (even stereoviews). Then the exterior of the plane can be shaped for sheer optimum EFFICIENCY.

[On the Road]

1. Someone Discovered the Secret

of the 39 Steps.

[Javaman]

2. So if the military gets their hands on this and turns it into a fighter it would be...

Silent but deadly...

:rofl:

Sorry I just couldn't resist.

[Nihil]

3. General electrics Unheard Freedom Fighter ...

... or GUFF for short ...
:beer: