In 1988, a section of the roof of an Aloha Airlines 737 blew off in an explosive decompression. The plane remained intact and was able to be safely landed. The only person killed was the head flight attendant who was not restrained.

A plane could be built this way with an open air passenger cabin as an adventure ride. Far more exciting than the tourist buses with open tops, and purpose built so that it does not risk breaking up in the air.

For this to work, the bottom portion of the fuselage would have to be strengthened. If necessary, bars/beams could be used where the roof would be to provide additional strength. As the airplane would be open air, it would have to fly at lower altitudes or every passenger could be provided with oxygen masks.

Not really practical as a transportation plane, but would make a great thrill ride.
-- crj900, Feb 06 2015

" I lost my cell phone when we did a barrel roll over the Grand Canyon. Got some great pics for the grand kids."
-- popbottle, Feb 07 2015


//A plane could be built this way with an open air passenger cabin as an adventure ride. //

The wood, string and canvas biplanes from the 1920's were a lot like that. So this sort of exists already. And yes, it's a definite thrill.

They flew slowly, 100 knots or so, and low. 500 knots in a 737 even at low altitude is likely to be unpleasant.
-- 8th of 7, Feb 07 2015


To be fair, 100 knots just above the ground has pretty much the same amount of air hitting your face as 500 knots at 38,000. It is a bit coder though.
-- bs0u0155, Feb 08 2015


//It is a bit coder though// That's a fairly specialised type of programming! I'm suprised it takes such computer skills to work out those speed effects!
-- pocmloc, Feb 08 2015


// " I lost my cell phone when we did a barrel roll over the Grand Canyon. Got some great pics for the grand kids."

So it's too bad the pics were smashed to bits along with your phone.
-- the porpoise, Feb 10 2015


No, they uploaded them to the Cloud …
-- 8th of 7, Feb 11 2015


I'm sure there is a way to inflict data on a cloud, zapping holes in with a laser or microwave, but the stability would be questionable and once it's out of line of sight...

Oddly reminiscent of the kinetic memory of the genie in "Declare".
-- not_morrison_rm, Feb 11 2015



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