NASA/Boeing X-66A Next-Generation Airliner Design Work Underway
NASA and Boeing have launched a joint project to build an experimental aircraft to explore and demonstrate sustainable flight technologies and dubbed it the X-66A. Based on a McDonnell Douglas MD-90 airliner, the initial design features a high aspect ratio wing braced by an external truss. In addition to exploring new and emerging airframe technologies, the aircraft will be able to test various engines, including traditional turbofans as well as new open-rotor designs.
Topics Related To: FUTURE OF FLIGHT
Embraer Files Patent for New Control Surfaces
In a patent filing published in January, Embraer has revealed possible plans to incorporate entirely new control surfaces in their future aircraft designs. Described as “longitudinal control augmentation surfaces,” they resemble elevators and are shown in patent images to be affixed to the engine pylon trailing edges of the company’s…
Flaris LAR-01 Very Light Jet Progresses Toward Certification
First flown in April 2019, the USD $2 million Flaris LAR 01 very light jet continues its progress through its flight test phase with certification on the horizon. Aimed at private owners, the LAR 01 promises direct operating costs of USD $450/hour. Powered by a single Williams FJ33-5A turbofan engine,…
Light Aircraft Manufacturer CubCrafters Tests Electric Lift Augmentation to Enable Slower Flight for Short Field Operations
In an effort to extract additional lift from the wing of their light aircraft, CubCrafters is testing electric ducted fans mounted to a slat on the wing’s leading edge. This system, known as the Electric Lift Augmenting Slat (ELAS) is intended to augment existing lift during takeoff and landing. By…
