With gas prices on the rise, many airlines have started raising their prices. For now, anyone needed to travel a substantial distance will have to accept these increase costs. However, inventors around the world are designing new vehicles for air transportation. Not only will these new innovations prove more cost-efficient, they will also be environmentally sound and diminish the ecological impact of air travel.
One promising addition to our skies is the Aeroscraft ML866, an aircraft in a class of its own. The vehicle has a cylindrical shape and more than 5,000 square feet of cabin space. This expansive interior leaves room for a variety of functional options. It can be adapted to haul cargo, or used as a luxury conference center in the sky. Despite its size, the Aeroscraft ML866 is engineered to hover and take-off like a helicopter. It can travel more than 3000 miles on one trip, but its top speed is only around 138 mph.
Another new aircraft design utilizes "blended wings." In this model, the vehicle's wings actually change shape to adapt to changing conditions throughout a flight. A working prototype of this design is currently being developed by the Silent Aircraft Initiative. As its name suggests, the Initiative's SAX 40 aircraft will produce limited noise pollution. It is also extremely fuel-efficient because its body design generates more lift than current aircraft models. In fact, the SAX 40 can potentially travel 149 miles per gallon of gasoline.
Airships, similar to blimps, are another option being explored. Next year will see the first test of Turtle Airship Company's first prototype vehicle designed for humanitarian use. The turtle-shaped airship runs on solar power during the day and switch to eco-friendly biofuel at night. Even with its modified engine, the airship can still travel as fast as some airplanes. As an added bonus, the airship doesn't require a runway. It is designed to takeoff and land vertically on virtually any surface, including water. The airship can be loaded with food, clothing, and other aid supplies and easily flown into disaster sites. In fact, the designers are looking to convert the model into a flying hospital complete with emergency surgery rooms.
Other aviation innovations are also on the way. From self-piloting jets to collapsible helicopters, the possibilities are seemingly endless. The next decade could see dramatic changes in air travel, which is good news for everyone from business travelers to shipping agents to environmentalists.
