• nBodyProblem@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    There are a lot of other factors. For example, electric motors with propellers are far more efficient than turbofans

    A propeller driven airplane will also be substantially slower than a turbofan one, allowing for unswept wings and better aerodynamic efficiency

    In reality, battery powered passenger planes aren’t impossible but they will definitely have a shorter range and slower speed. They are realistically only suited for regional routes.

    • Obi@sopuli.xyz
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      7 days ago

      Perfect is the enemy of good. There are so many people at least here in Europe that fly easy-jet/ryanair 1h to 2h flights, these could all still work with propeller planes. But frankly I’m just wondering why I can’t get subsidized trains that would be actually affordable. Right now it remains cheaper to drive all alone in my car than get an Eurostar ticket unless I planned it months in advance (spoilers: I can’t plan months in advance most of the time with my work).

      • nBodyProblem@lemmy.world
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        6 days ago

        Agreed. A plane that can do 200ish knots for a few hours could hit a nice sweet spot for a lot of routes