Maglev runway for an ekranoplan.
Ok make some smallish <50 seater fast ekranoplans with lots of rare earth magnets on the bottom. Build a couple of very large hanger station, about a mile long, to keep out wind sheer. Construct a reletivly small maglev runway.
Result is a transport system that looks as cool as a maglev train but at a fraction of the cost.-- EkranoMan, Sep 09 2014 Erm, what happens if one has to land between stations?-- not_morrison_rm, Sep 09 2014 // Erm, what happens if one has to land between stations? — not_morrison_rm, Sep 09 2014 //
Due to there often very low stall speeds, most ekranoplans can land quite comfortably on water. And pretty rougth terrain if you've got some big soft wheels at the ready. People wouldn't go on flights without any sort of landing gear.-- EkranoMan, Sep 09 2014 They would if it got them a cheaper flight. Clearly, you have still to come to terms with the astounding cupidity of the general public.
// Erm, what happens if one has to land between stations? //
A very loud and distinctive scraping noise.-- 8th of 7, Sep 09 2014 If you've landing gear, then why the maglev ?-- FlyingToaster, Sep 09 2014 // If you've landing gear, then why the maglev ? — FlyingToaster, Sep 09 2014 //
Landing gears wear out. Magnets do not. But the biggest reason, is it just looks so f**king cool to step on/off a levitating vehicle.-- EkranoMan, Sep 09 2014 //A very loud and distinctive scraping noise
Ahh the mating call of the WIG, often mistake for a Corncrake....
But to be honest, I was wondering more how it`s going to take off again if it`s between stations...-- not_morrison_rm, Sep 09 2014 //why the maglev ?//
I suppose one advantage might be needing less engine on your ekranoplan. Apparently they typically need quite a lot of power which is only used for take-off, then sits around doing nothing for the rest of the flight.-- Loris, Sep 09 2014 // only used for take-off, then sits around doing nothing for the rest of the flight //
Just like the Captain, then ...-- 8th of 7, Sep 09 2014 I'm eager for commercial ekranoplans. The world would be so much more exciting if rogue waves could destroy aircraft as well as ships.-- bs0u0155, Sep 09 2014 A narrow shipping lane like the Straits of Sunda, packed with 20 knot surface freighters and 200 knot ekranoplans ... hilarity ensues-- 8th of 7, Sep 09 2014 // A very loud and distinctive scraping noise. -8th of 7, Sep 09 2014 // lol
// But to be honest, I was wondering more how it`s going to take off again if it`s between stations... —not_morrison_rm, Sep 09 2014 // it wouldn't, just call the local minibus or ferry!
// I suppose one advantage might be needing less engine on your ekranoplan. Apparently they typically need quite a lot of power which is only used for take-off, then sits around doing nothing for the rest of the flight. — Loris, Sep 09 2014 // Thank you!
// Just like the Captain, then ... — 8th of 7, Sep 09 2014 // The Captain weighs less, and dosen't requeir so much mantainance (Arguably)
// I'm eager for commercial ekranoplans. The world would be so much more exciting if rogue waves could destroy aircraft as well as ships. — bs0u0155, Sep 09 2014 // That's the spirit!-- EkranoMan, Sep 09 2014 If takeoff power for ground effect craft is such an issue, why not just use a winch system to get it up to speed on the runway? Yeah maglev is cool, but I think all those magnets will add a lot of weight.-- scad mientist, Sep 09 2014 // winch system //
Steam catatpult ...-- 8th of 7, Sep 09 2014 RATO?-- bs0u0155, Sep 09 2014 //If takeoff power for ground effect craft is such an issue, why not just use a winch system to get it up to speed on the runway?//
If you don't have levitation, you're going to need wheels or some other friction mitigation. Perhaps if you had magnets (or the right structure of induced electromagnets) on the track as well, you could avoid that annoying scrape in the event of engine failure.-- Loris, Sep 09 2014 Hmmm ... what about a combined Ekranoplan/hovercraft ?-- 8th of 7, Sep 09 2014 //what about a combined Ekranoplan/hovercraft// If the track was the source of hovering air (rather than the ekranoplan) you might be on to something. Lugging all that hovering hardware in flight would be inefficient. But I think doing clever things with magnets is more cool (even if it is more complicated, more expensive, more dangerous, ...).
(Later, after thinking some more...) You meant so the ekranoplan could land anywhere? Using the turbines compressors as the source of hover-air would cut down on hardware, but if you're making an emergency landing, chances are there are engine issues...-- neutrinos_shadow, Sep 09 2014 //Hmmm ... what about a combined Ekranoplan/hovercraft ? — 8th of 7, Sep 09 2014//
they already do this some guy stuck some wings on a hovercraft and it flew. so now some existing hovercraft makers are selling retrofit fiberglass wing packs.
also many ekranoplans use an extendable airfiled skirt for takeoff, no extra engines required.
I have another idea to get my ekranoplan airborn... but i'll save it for another topic.
//If the track was the source of hovering air (rather than the ekranoplan) you might be on to something.// thats a nice idea. different from what im on about.
//Lugging all that hovering hardware in flight would be inefficient.// ekranoplans are very efficient. They say for the equiverlent power/energy they will lift double the weight of a regular aircraft.
// But I think doing clever things with magnets is more cool (even if it is more complicated, more expensive, more dangerous, ...). // Exactly.
// (Later, after thinking some more...) You meant so the ekranoplan could land anywhere? Using the turbines compressors as the source of hover-air would cut down on hardware, but if you're making an emergency landing, chances are there are engine issues... — neutrinos_shadow, Sep 09 2014 // no i didn't mean this.
This is not supposed to be more efficient or cheap. Safer more comfortable or common, just the same way nobody thinks maglev trains are soon going to replace normal trains. This is just about making some nice futuristic transport, to ship tourists about, maybe island hopping around the gulf of Thailand or Dubai or somthing.-- EkranoMan, Sep 10 2014 Since I'm only dropping by, I don't have time for my usual full-blown anti-ekranoplan rant. You'll all have to use your imaginations instead.-- Alterother, Sep 12 2014 random, halfbakery