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According to a recently-granted patent, Airbus is exploring the potential of creating a new breed of versatile, modular aircraft that would see detachable passenger cabins slot into a hole in an aeroplane's fuselage. The concept has the potential to revolutionize air travel, while providing significant savings for airlines by reducing the time that planes spend idle on the ground.
After landing, and prior to launch, a conventional aeroplane has to sit on the tarmac waiting for a necessary but glacial set of events to unfold. This period of inactivity, which is the combined result of a number of factors including the embarking of passengers, luggage and freight, costs airlines time and money.
The newly patented concept would seek to remedy these limitations by taking a more modular approach to the whole situation. Instead of a single hull, aeroplanes would essentially be built with a hole in their fuselage between the nose cone and the tail section, into which modular compartments could be fitted and removed.
The compartments, which could take on the purpose of a passenger, luxury passenger or freight unit, would be transferred between the aircraft and airport via a docking module, which according to Airbus would (ideally) be integrated into airport terminal buildings.
originally posted by: M5xaz
a reply to: anzha
Idiotic.
Would add a lot of weight to the aircraft
Not cost effective - will make fuel burn soar