This seems like a fascinating concept. Something like this could revolutionize the air based mass transit system.

What you are seeing is an aircraft capable of carrying three modular units, whether it be cargo or people, it doesn't matter. They claim that at least on paper, it is more efficient than the current GA fleet, and all routes flown with it would seem profitable.

Granted it is still only on the drawing boards, but any thoughts on the potential?

http://clipair.epfl.ch/concept-en

Here are some more thoughts and concept "photos".

Looks pretty interesting.

http://www.core77.com/blog/transportati ... _25096.asp

I don't know nuthin', but "interference drag" comes to mind.

What's that thing giving birth to?

That thing should not take more than 50 years to get certified thru FAA

And the first (only) time a 'pod' full of people was punched off either thru human, mechanical, or engineering failure the whole concept would go the way of the Dodo.

Don't forget the starship version!

http://www.starbase400.org/avalon/images/ptolemy04.jpg

+1

About as likely as this:

http://hypermach.com/

It's not much different from this.. Stratolaunch Systems

Same concept as Spaceship 1 and the Virgin Galactic proposed passenger product.

These things are getting larger every day!

I haven't seen this modular version before. Kudo's to ingenuity.

But I can't see it becoming a reality. Boeing tinkered with a flying wing concept airliner in the past, stating it was more efficient, could carry more, etc. The problem was that the people seated anywhere off axis of the aircraft would encounter significant movement during banks and turns and passengers wouldn't like that.

Take this concept. if you were to put people pods on the outside, they'd be subjected to the same issues as the failed flying wing concept. If you were to put people in the central pod and cargo on the outsides, the people would be staring at cargo pods for the entire flight - people like their window seats.

More efficient maybe. Reality is doubtful.