I’m pretty sceptical about ground effect planes, there’s a very good reason why they’ve never really taken off, despite so many countries and organisations giving them a try over the years, but I’d love to know what everyone else thinks.

  • Xcf456@lemmy.nz
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    7
    ·
    edit-2
    6 months ago

    I agree there appear to be very good reasons not to use these.

    Foling at 500kmph (edit: more like 250kmph by the looks of it) 10 metres above the water seems to just be inherently bonkers as a means of mass transportation given the very limited room for error/failure that results in everyone on board being instantly killed. Planes and helicopters can glide/autorotate, ships move slower.

    The 3d mock ups and carefully shot video of the first flight (that obscures the fact it’s a very small scale model prototype) suggest vapour ware scam startup.

    Honestly for the love of god, can we just have trains?

    • BalpeenHammer@lemmy.nz
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      4
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      6 months ago

      I honestly don’t know who is dumb enough to believe they are going to be moving crowds over the water at 250km/h. That’s just bonkers. We can’t move cars and trains that fast FFS.

      A typical turbo prop will cruise at around 400 km/h

      Well maybe the investors are dumb enough.