This solar-powered aircraft is an aerodynamic commercial flyer of the future

The world is gradually shifting towards eco-friendly ways of living, and transportation is one major industry carrying the gauntlet. Solar-powered airplanes are the future in this quest, and this concept gives us a look at the horizon of air travel in a decade’s time.

Solar Impulse solar-powered aircrafts developed by US-Spanish aerospace firm Skydweller Aero have shown us what totally fuel independent flying machines are capable of – sans any dependence on hauling fuel or need to refuel by pit stop landing. Venturing on intercontinental flights and countless flying hours, the solar aircraft opened up the world to the possibilities of totally sustainable flights. Laszlo Nemeth wants to carry forward the zero-emission dream of commercial and private aircraft flights with this intriguing concept.

Designer: Laszlo Nemeth

Looking more like the Tesla Model S of the renewable energy-powered aircraft world, this is the Falcon Solar aircraft concept that takes to the skies with its wide wingspan. This concept design breaks the accepted norms of aircraft design with an advanced set of wings that have a curved shape. One thing that caught my eye is the inverted wingspan compared to the real flacon bird. Stacked against the overall body ratio of the solar aircraft, the wings are quite large, perhaps to provide superior lift and lessen aerodynamic drag.

There are no rudders or rear wing or vertical stabilizers which actuate the direction of the aircraft. Hopefully, we are staring down an advanced technology that makes swift turning possible without these currently vital parts on any flying machine. The array of solar panels spans across the whole length of the wings which should be able to produce enough energy from the sun when gliding over the clouds. For now, the cabin of the aircraft looks quite compact and we don’t yet know if there is ample space for passengers to be hauled. This craft could be more like a luxury yacht of the skies for millionaires to play around with, in the near future, who knows!

 

The post This solar-powered aircraft is an aerodynamic commercial flyer of the future first appeared on Yanko Design.

Now Boarding for LAX via Endor: United Airlines Joins the Star Wars Fleet

Star Wars fanatics can hitch a ride to places far, far away on a special United Airlines jet decked out as the only Star Wars-themed commercial jet winging it across the galaxy. Or at least across North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Star Alliance’s United Airlines collaborated with “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” – the epic conclusion of the Skywalker saga – to create a nose-to-tail Star Wars design on one of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft, plus inside some fun decor tweaks and themed services.

The exterior paint design features images of great Star Wars spacecraft, including X-wing and TIE fighter starships. The aircraft’s tail sports red and blue Jedi lightsabers against a black backdrop on each side, reflecting the two sides of the Force.

While it’s nothing at all like the Millennium Falcon (hats off to Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge!) the United plane’s interior does have some nice touches – mainly red and blue headrests with the emblems of the movie’s dueling factions, the Resistance and the First Order.

Keep your fingers crossed that inflight menus start offering Endorian Tip-yip and Smoked Kaadu Ribs like the ones at Disney’s Galaxy Edge. (Though the tough chicken I had on a recent American flight might have been Kaadu jerky.) The lucky first passengers were greeted with classic Star Wars-themed music during boarding, gate visits from costumed Stormtroopers, and limited-edition commemorative pins.

The flights also offer “The Rise of Skywalker” themed amenity kits (sorry, no freebies for you, Coach class) and a new inflight safety demonstration video featuring characters from the new film. It’s not a ton of fun under the Tatooine twin suns but worth a look:

Grounded fans can track United’s Star Wars-themed jet’s past and future flights via a special icon on the FlightAware online flight-tracking platform by entering the plane’s tail number, N36272, as the X-Wing starship.

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This Beautiful Custom LEGO Douglas DC-3 is a Classic

There are two kinds of LEGO kits that I have always liked. I go for anything with wheels, like the slick new LEGO Corvette ZR-1, and also anything with wings. The cool part about LEGO aircraft is that you can pretend to fly them, then drop your plane and watch it explode. LEGO builder Vaionaut’s detailed DC-3 model looks way too nice to smash, though.

His custom Bavaria DC-3 aircraft is based on an earlier design that he tweaked for more accuracy and greater stability than the original. It features compound curves for the fuselage and a German flag on the tail that is made from bricks. The builder even made a suitably retro service truck to go along with it. This is a truly beautiful LEGO build. Great work, Vaionaut!

[via Brothers Brick]

$15,000 Coffee Maker Shaped Like a Jet Engine


Fly high with this aeronautically theme espresso machine. The Jet Engine Coffee or Tea Machine is an accurate looking 1/4 scale version of a real jet engine. As you would expect from a device this luxuriously priced, it’s hand crafted. But not from ordinary metals. Oh no. This it the high test stuff, like that Civet Coffee that’s made from that Indonesian cat-like animal poop, except instead of beans in animal excrement, it’s metal. Heavy metal. The Judas Priest of coffee makers. We’re talking aviation-grade 6061 aluminum alloy, 316 stainless steel, and 7075 aluminum-bronze alloy. Is your Keurig made from aviation-grade anything? Didn’t think so.

Slide back the jet’s cowling and inside is your espresso machine. You can also brew tea in there. A pair of buttons on the base let’s you choose your serving size as it fills up your diamond encrusted mug or your solid gold travel mug. This coffee maker is a beast- weighing in at over 65 lbs! That’s a lot of aviation-grade aluminum. Would make a great high end gift for anyone into aviation, or perhaps someone with a private jet would like this onboard or at home to keep the jetsetting theme going and caffeinated.

$15,000 Coffee Maker Shaped Like a Jet Engine
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