Hughesair (Inflection Point)

Retired physician and air taxi operator, science writer and part time assistant professor, these editorials cover a wide range of topics. Mostly non political, mostly true, I write more from a lifetime of experience and from research, more science than convention. Subjects cover medicine, Alaska aviation, economics, technology and an occasional book review. Globalization or Democracy documents the historical roots of Oligarchy, the road to colonialism and tyranny

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Location: Homer, Alaska, United States

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Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Hybrid-Electric

This morning we read that the House passed an Energy Bill supported by both parties, an event in itself. What caught the eye, was a provision for subsidizing hybrid electrics. Wow, what about a hybrid-electric Cessna 180, a plane with some familiarity. The wing area begs for a wide array of solar cells, and the extra power available for takeoff might be good. The small motor could reduce the frontal area. The lightweight fuel, if we shift to LNG or Hydrogen, may offset the weight of batteries. Was there not a lightweight plastic battery introduced recently. Better still do we have a regenerative fuel cell, eliminating the need for a battery, altogether, even regenerative breaking on rapid decent. There might be spare oxygen available for high altitude use --- no bleed air though. Think of the range, and noise reduction an electric might provide and how about payload?
Now, I’m hot for a hybrid; need 4W drive, however, until Cessna catches on.

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