Spanish designer and aviation enthusiast Oscar Viñals has released a plane design that he says would revolutionize green air travel. Up to 755 passengers could be accommodated, across three decks, each for a different "class" of traveler.
Sky Whale: Future of flying? —
Spanish designer and aviation enthusiast Oscar Viñals has released a plane design that he says would revolutionize green air travel. Up to 755 passengers could be accommodated, across three decks, each for a different "class" of traveler.
Alejandro Erickson/Oscar Viñal
The plane would be greener and more energy-efficient, says Viñals, able to make longer journeys without refueling thanks to a double fuselage and micro solar cells on the wings.
Green flying machine —
The plane would be greener and more energy-efficient, says Viñals, able to make longer journeys without refueling thanks to a double fuselage and micro solar cells on the wings.
Courtesy Oscar Viñals
In Viñals' quest for efficiency, the aircraft would use four Harrier-style engines that can rotate up to 45 degrees to allow vertical take offs as well as landing on small runways.
Up, up and away —
In Viñals' quest for efficiency, the aircraft would use four Harrier-style engines that can rotate up to 45 degrees to allow vertical take offs as well as landing on small runways.
Courtesy Oscar Viñals
The Sky Whale would use materials made of alloys, ceramics or fiber composites to reduce drag.
Dressed for drag —
The Sky Whale would use materials made of alloys, ceramics or fiber composites to reduce drag.
Courtesy Oscar Viñals
In an emergency, the wings would break into smaller pieces and separate from the fuselage, helping to reduce damage to the passenger sections.
Safer too —
In an emergency, the wings would break into smaller pieces and separate from the fuselage, helping to reduce damage to the passenger sections.
Courtesy Oscar Viñals
The three-story aircraft has a greater wingspan and is higher than today's biggest carriers. Sky Whale would have a span of 88 meters in comparison to 80 meters on an Airbus A380-900, the largest commercial aircraft today.
Bigger means better —
The three-story aircraft has a greater wingspan and is higher than today's biggest carriers. Sky Whale would have a span of 88 meters in comparison to 80 meters on an Airbus A380-900, the largest commercial aircraft today.
Courtesy Oscar Viñals
Sky Whale will have "active wings" powered by a hybrid turbo-electric propulsion system, making it more energy-efficient than today's planes. Viñals also says the wings would have "self-healing skin," a technology still in the works.
Efficient healer —
Sky Whale will have "active wings" powered by a hybrid turbo-electric propulsion system, making it more energy-efficient than today's planes. Viñals also says the wings would have "self-healing skin," a technology still in the works.
Courtesy Oscar Viñals
The combination of the design elements reduces drag, fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide waste, making it the "greenest aircraft imaginable," says Viñals. Now he just needs someone to step up and build it.
Will it ever get built? —
The combination of the design elements reduces drag, fuel consumption and nitrogen oxide waste, making it the "greenest aircraft imaginable," says Viñals. Now he just needs someone to step up and build it.
Courtesy Oscar Viñals