Plastic planes 'set to rule sky'

[WhiteTara]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/5185910.stm
Britons travelling abroad are likely to be flying in plastic planes in the future, says the chief of Boeing.

All 737 planes would be made from non-metal materials, or composites, said president Alan Mulally.

Ahead of the Farnborough Air Show, the US plane giant boss said "all future planes will be made out of composites", because it does not corrode.


The US company's new 787 Dreamliner - which is expected to make its first flight next year - is already being constructed using carbon fibre-reinforced plastic composites.

And he said the materials would be used when the company decided to update its popular 737 planes. (someime in the next decade)

this infoblurb is pr from boeing (I'm sure)...interesting though

[karlrschneider]

1. Improved technology

Burt Rutan has been building "plastic" planes for >20 years. I'm amazed it has taken this long for the 'big boys' to catch up.

[whistle]

2. What about composite fatigue (i.e. Space Shuttle)

[ReverendDeuce]

18. Consider how much more violent space flight is...

... in comparison to air flight.

The Space Shuttles are amazing pieces of equipment that survive incredible levels of heat and stress.

[wakeme2008]

3. Wait til you see the Wings on the new 747-8

[Placebo]

6. I can't wait for that plane!

It's going to keep the 747 brand alive for some time into the future. And what with the delays Airbus is seeing with their A380, the slightly smaller but more environmentally friendly and fuel efficient 747-8 looks like a great choice! :)

[ContraBass Black]

14. "environmentally friendly and fuel efficient"

I never thought I'd see those words describing the 747. :D

[StClone]

9. Do they bow that much?

Or is that the design?

[wakeme2008]

10. that is the design

:)

[Warren DeMontague]

13. I gotta say, that looks pretty damn cool.

Now, if we could just get the airlines to put some effort into making coach somewhat bearable.

[ck4829]

4. I'd hate to see what happens if lightning strikes a plastic airplane

It may not be as bad as I picture it, but still...

[StClone]

8. Plastic insulates

Plastic may insulate the plane enough to protect the interior metal components much more so than the aluminum body would.

[MercutioATC]

11. Composites are not conductors...

...I'm betting that it wouldn't be as bad as you might think.

[ck4829]

17. OK, just worried I guess

[Shipwack]

5. Wow! Mr. McGuire was right after all...

Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
Benjamin: Yes, I am.
Mr. McGuire: Plastics.

[Placebo]

7. This really is the future of air travel.

Airliners made out of composites, which are lighter and stronger than metal but don't corrode, and super-efficient engines.

Friendlier to the environment and with better fuel economy to boot!

[AngryAmish]

12. This is the future

However there will have to be a new generation trained in manufacturing and maintaining these materials. There will be disasters. All new technology creates these and it is not necessarily a bad thing (if we learn and have a steep learning curve).

Boeing is killing Airbus at this point. They also will learn.

if I had a child I would tell them to go into material science. The technology is moving so fast right now if you can grab the right patent one could retire at 28.

[ContraBass Black]

15. Are plastic fuselages going to last indefinitely

The way they thought the metal ones would?

[soothsayer]

16. wasn't the concord plastic?