Hello,

i have been thinking to myself since i wanna be a pilot when i'll grow up. currently i am 16 and planning on a PPL when i'll be 18, but my thought's about how the future aircraft will look like are not stopping.

i mean i am so use to the 737, 757, 767, 747, a320, a340 etc etc.. but i think the future aircraft will be so different due to the oil problem all over the world. is that true? will they bee different then what we know? thanks, and i am very sorry for the dummy question, if it's so so stupid let me know(;.

It is a good question. I think in our lifetime we can expect airliner design to remain pretty much the same 'tube with 2x engine on wings or tail' design. Proposals like the Sonic Cruiser or BWB were great ideas but perhaps too 'radical' and probably won't be seen until after our lifetime. The 737 has been around for many many years and is still being improved. I think whatever replaces the 737 will ultimately be a newer phase of the 737 design.

Emphasis is more on lightweight materials and more efficient engines and upgraded avionics (A380/787)

 

Aircraft design has always been at the cutting edge so I don't think we will see much change in actual design for a while, at least until something groundbreaking comes along.

 

Speaking as an enthusiast, I don't get too excited when I hear about the new generation of powerplants being developed, the key word is always quieter. I remember the good old day's taking off in a 747-200 from Kingston Jamaica getting pushed back into my seat while the machine rumbled down the runway.

 

When I fly now it's always max flex/derate and the whole thing is a non event.

 

Regards

 

Unfortunately we are nostalgic creatures and like FLEX1978 I too think nothing can replace the magic of a really noisy and smoky take-off, like a 707's. At the same time I KNOW it wouldn't be sustainable if engines hadn't improved as they did. Let me congratulate Daniel first for although being "youngish", he has a plan towards aviation in his life and he is aware of one of the greatest issues our world is facing - energy availability. The worst case scenario is really dark, like with no airplanes at all (because our way of life isn't sustainable as we use up resources faster than they are replaced). So I think every effort in finding alternatives should be on top of the list. Then comes the nostalgic guy again and....

 

PS Daniel, you probably can start flying earlier than being 18 by learning to fly sail planes, should that idea appeal to you, and many pilots say that would make you a safer pilot when transitioning to engine airplanes (as your mind will be already trained to not take the engine for granted).

Being in the oil business... My opinion is that we don't have an oil problem. We've got a political problem. Just my $.02.

 

Cheers!

thanks everyone for the answers.

Being in the oil business... My opinion is that we don't have an oil problem. We've got a political problem. Just my $.02.

 

Cheers!

it doesn't have to be a political problem in my opinion, look how expensive the oil, so it doesn't really matter how much we got, the airlines will have to raise they're prices so they won't be in loose. and that's a bigger circle. i hope i am right and not telling a I TRIED TO USE A PROFANITY HERE - AREN'T I STUPID!.(:

I dont think the basic "tube with wings" concept will be changed any soon, maybe the shapes, positions of surfaces will, but not the basic concept.

What I consider more likely is a different engine type, like moving from turbofan to propfan, or something completely different.

 

What would be IMHO the best re. oil crisis (@Buddy: I mean pricing crisis not availability crisis by this. I, too, am fairly certain there is more than enough oil, for years to come) - if we could develop a way to manufacture sustainable fuel from renewable sources, such as sunflower oil for old diesels. (there is an old, 1980s Merc around here that has been going around on nothing but waste oil for quite a couple of years now)

 

And it need to not take 150% of available farmlands to supply demand, as well, so...