Captain Al - 25 June 2009 08:51 PM

NEO - 25 June 2009 08:30 PM

They need to have a system like aircraft carriers have that hold back the plane until the engines are at full speed then release them.

You mean a catapult.

Those are also steam-assisted launch. Engines up to speed, then counter a good chunk of that pesky inertia by flinging yon plane forward.

Robin Bobcat - 26 June 2009 06:23 AM

Those are also steam-assisted launch. Engines up to speed, then counter a good chunk of that pesky inertia by flinging yon plane forward.

Plus you can tap the catapults for hot water, so you can make hot tea whenever you need it.

I guess they could also use arrestor cables to slow the planes real quick on landing.

gray - 26 June 2009 07:41 PM

I guess they could also use arrestor cables to slow the planes real quick on landing.

Tennis nets and flypaper.

I’ve always been partial to JATO units, myself. (That way you can sneak a couple out and use them to launch a chevy or somesuch.)

DavePrime - 26 June 2009 08:54 PM

I’ve always been partial to JATO units, myself. (That way you can sneak a couple out and use them to launch a chevy or somesuch.)

RATO is better.  It’s cheaper for one-time use, and you can jettison the superfluous weight without worrying about all the expensive machinery you’re dropping.