this post was submitted on 15 May 2024
29 points (100.0% liked)

NZ Off topic

405 readers
5 users here now

This community is for NZ discussion about random non-NZ things, or whatever you want! Shitposts, circlejerks, memes, something you found funny, anything goes!*

*except for:

If you want to have a serious political discussion, take it to [email protected].

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
[email protected]
[email protected]
29
Seagliders' 35-minute trips to Auckland closer with $145m deal (www.nzherald.co.nz)
submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
22 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

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.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

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?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

A sea plane or float plane would be a much simpler, safer option, in my view.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 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.