On 20 Dec, 17:07, Quadibloc wrote:
It's an odd coincidence that you mention this, as I recently came
across

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/...-saucer-works/

on that site - by Willy Ley, no less.

John Savard

I have read through the article with the following comments.

1) Stability is not a big issue with modern aircraft that are flown by
computers. The Airbus is unstable and the lowest level of control an
Airbus pilot has is to fly the thing like a car directly imputting
accelerations. If you bank lift is automatically adjusted to Sec
(theta).

2) The article mentions 32 degrees vertically. In fact lift is best
obtained by a vortex on the UPPER surface. As I have consistently
maintained only a proper CFD investigation can finally resolve this
issue.

3) Efficiency at 650km/h is still problematic CFD again required.


- Ian Parker