Technological dead-end or the shape of things to come?

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

From the Studios of JR Lucariny comes the Embraer 150 Propfan aircraft. I'm not sure where he got the details from as have not been able to find much info on it, I have found info regarding Embraer showing an interest in the developement of the engine but not a full production aircraft. however it bears an uncanny resemblance to the Boeing 7J7 from a few years ago. Propfan engines were supposed to be the engine of the future but no-one foresaw the incredible noise they generated! A few test aircraft were flown but as yet the system has never made it into production....that I know of. I suspect this model is pure speculation on behalf of the author but nevertheless I like it, it makes an interesting change from all the current procession of identical airliners that ply their trade across our skys. The developement of the propfan was very convoluted and rather than try and write it all here I'll just post a link for a better explanation.This then is the "EMB 150"

Handling is very similar to the B717, just the noise is different!

Those engines just look incredible!

More info, look here;  

http://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/prop-fan.html

[brett 2,316]

Thanks for the link, I'll have to read up on it because if I didn't see it flying I would swear the engines were on backwards.

[allardjd 1,853]

Counter-rotating props on the same axis have always been, as far as I know, incredibly noisy.  They say the Tu-95 was/is almost un-BEAR-ably noisy for the crew. 

 

I'm always happy to see someone in the aircraft industry pursuing the new and innovative and I wish them well.  It may well be that only one in ten or less bears any commercial fruit, but if no one is ever willing to take the risk and roll up their sleeves and do the work we'd still be flying behind rotary engines, ala WWI.

 

John

[britfrog 180]

I saw the md80/dc9 at Farnborough and couldnt see where they were going with it modern high by pass engines do the same thing except they are encompassed in a cowling, and it is this high amount of bypassed air that envelopes and silences the exhaust which is why modern engines are so quiet.

"

and speaking of noise and contra rotation it is well documented that shackleton aircrew are all deaf for high frequencies from flying their "100000 rivets vibrating in formation" a/c for many hours

 

However speaking of a proper ducted fan, many years ago i knew the boss of the flying school at old sarum and his chief instructor and when the test pilot moved on from edgeley the cfi at flying club was asked to demonstrate the Optica. as it forseen that it might impinge on his duties as a cfi he didnt want to take it to a show, answer the millions of question by the hoipaloi over a weekend, demonstrating it was one thing ,but sitting there for 2 days was not his thing so they asked me to position it for shows, which i agreed to and flew the plane twice to get checked out on it. it was horrible and noisy had c of g issues and although it flew slowly it had a pretty horrible stall  (which killed those police in the south west) However I never did fly it again and the prototype was pushed into the hangar. there has been talk i believe of resurrecting the project buy i cant ever see it bieng a success, give me a cessna 150 anyday.

[hurricanemk1c 195]

Nice shots Alan - something unusual there!

[mutley 4,498]

I remember the Optica, they still have a website going http://www.optica.co.uk 

[dodgy-alan 1,587]

I think the Opticas biggest claim to fame was it's starring role in the film Slipstream many years ago. It starred Mark (star wars) Hamill as a cop chasing down a cyborg fugitive in some sort of post apocalyptic environment. The film was dire and is rarely seen now.

[britfrog 180]

as i remember the plane was pretty dire also