next big thing in the aviation iddustry

[jessica07]

what do you think is the next big thing in the aviation industry, what areas do you think can be improved...in terms of control systems..or mechanics... Share your thoughts!

[Daiquiri]

Remotely controlled unmanned flights with neurobiofeedback to the ground-based human pilot.

[AIR&SPACE]

Analytical design of flow control devices

[AlephZero]

Something we dont want our competitors to know about yet :smile:

[Lsos]

I don't know if they have this yet or are only beginning to use it, but gearing the engine fan and the turbine is something I've been hearing about.

[viscousflow]

active flow control, jet blown flaps.

[Daiquiri]

active flow control, jet blown flaps.
I don't think so - not in the civil aviation, at least. Too many risks involved with malfunctioning of said devices.

[harralk]

pulse-detonation engines - or propulsion in general. Inertia-based navigation systems. Active 3D environment mapping (I forget what it's called but the radar/IR based system to let pilots see through fog/night). Dynamic airframe shapes. "Sonic boom" silencing to allow supersonic aircraft to operate over residential areas.....I got nothing, sorry

[Enthalpy]

Electric propulsion.

The move is already on for light aircraft (batteries give 1h) and already done for drones (fuel cells give 12h).

Electric motors as light, small and powerful as turbofans are absolutely easy to build for airliners. Hydrogen tanks could be added; more volume but less weight. The missing element are the light fuel cells.