Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Visionary or plane crazy? Airbus contest to decide
| Technology
|  
 
 
  
  	
  	  
			 
  
  
    
    
    	
		
			
                
                    
 
                    
                
            
			
			
				
                    
             
                
				
					My Profile 
					 
                    
            
            
                
			
		
  
	
    
		
	
  
	
	
	
    
		
	
     
Top News
Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day.
Subscribe
  
	
  
	
	
	
    
		
	 
	 
         
         
		
        
	
	
  
  
  		
  	You are here:
  
    Home
    
      >
      News 
      
      >
      Technology 
      
      >
      Article
	
    
		
	
  
 
    
               
      
Home
        
Business & Finance
        
News
        
U.S.
                
Politics
                
International
                
Technology
                
Internet
                            
                        
            
Entertainment
                
Sports
                
Lifestyle
                
Oddly Enough
                
Health
                
Science
                
Special Coverage
                
Video
                
Pictures
                
Your View
                
The Great Debate
                
Blogs
                
Weather
                
Reader Feedback
                
      
	
    
		
	 
	 
         
         
		
        
	
	
  
               
      
	
Do More With Reuters
		
RSS
		
Widgets
		
Mobile
		
Podcasts
		
Newsletters
		
Your View
		
Make Reuters My Homepage
	
Partner Services
		
CareerBuilder
		
Affiliate Network
	
Professional Products
		
Support (Customer Zone)
		
Reuters Media
		
Financial Products
	
About Thomson Reuters
 
      
    
      
    
	
		
Visionary or plane crazy? Airbus contest to decide
	
Thu May 7, 2009 1:42pm EDT
 
	 
               
       
	
	
	 
		
			Email | Print | 
Share
 | Reprints | Single Page
	
			[-]
			Text
			[+]
	
	
	
	
      
 
 
		
    
    
By Tim Hepher
    
PARIS (Reuters) - Tourists heading south for the winter may be transported to their dream destination in windowless airliners flying in formation like geese if Airbus accepts the advice of tomorrow's potential aircraft engineers.
    
The European planemaker is offering 30,000 euros for the best idea drawn from proposals submitted by 2,350 students in 82 countries after launching a global competition for new concepts.
    
Airbus said on Thursday it had narrowed down the entries to five -- not all of which may at first glance appeal to the traveling public, but which a spokeswoman said could lead to useful ways of thinking about aircraft design and engineering.
    
The proposals include a suggestion from a Spanish university for a windowless cabin. Despite the impact on passengers who prefer a window seat, the designers have found that an aircraft constructed this way would be more eco-efficient, Airbus said.
    
Among the other finalists, an Australian team from the University of Queensland has suggested building some of the materials used in the cabin out of castor plant natural fibers.
    
A Czech proposal would use electric motors to taxi the airplane -- overcoming burning of jet fuel that the industry says costs billions of dollars and harms the environment -- and Singapore students want to tap solar power for electricity.
    
Perhaps the most revolutionary concept is a U.S. proposal by students from Stanford University to adapt the "V" formation used by geese and other migrating birds to fly long distances.
    
By slipstreaming behind the bird in front, the birds can save energy to fly further and take it in turns to lead.
    
The Stanford proposal calls for an "inverted V formation, building on the model of migrating birds to reduce energy consumption," Airbus said in a review of the final shortlist.
    
"This is not necessarily something we would exploit, but the idea and approach are interesting and the analysis is of high quality," Airbus spokeswoman Anne Galabert said.
    
Passenger planes are separated by minimum distances depending on their size to reduce the risk of collision and prevent turbulence from the wingtips of those directly in front.
    
A collision with a flock of geese was blamed for the loss of power that caused a US Airways jet to ditch in the Hudson River in January, yet the mystery of birds continues to fascinate designers after more than a century of powered flight.
    
"People have looked at this and conventional studies are based on the ordinary V formation, but the innovation here is that the students are looking at a backwards V," Galabert said.
    
Airbus says it launched the contest to challenge students in to seek innovative and green-friendly ideas that could ultimately shape the future of aviation. The finalists will present their ideas to a jury at the Paris Air Show in June. Airbus, a unit of EADS, is in the midst of cutting 10,000 jobs amid a worsening recession, but is trying to recruit 300 engineers this year to help complete complex new projects.
    
(Additional reporting by Hakan Ersen, Peter Dinkloh; Editing by Andrew Macdonald)
    
    
    
      
      
 
      
          © Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
    
               
      
	
    
		
 
	
		
 
		
Share:
		
Del.icio.us
		
Digg
		
Mixx
		
Yahoo!
		
Facebook
		
LinkedIn
	
	
  
      
               
      
 
	
			
 
		
  		    Next Article:
		Nintendo sees slowdown ahead
		
 
			
		
 
	
      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
	
     
Also On Reuters
Visionary or plane crazy? Airbus contest to decide
Big Money: Kindle DX, sleeper agent for Amazon's future
Commentary: Iran sanctions and wishful thinking
  
	
    
						
						
						
	
		
		More Technology News
    
  
  
		
				Google: American phenomenon and antitrust target
			
		
				Microsoft to buy game maker BigPark
			
		
				Nintendo sees slowdown ahead
  |  Video
			
		
				Windows 7 raises complaints from rivals: report
			
		
				Irish student's Jarre wiki hoax dupes journalists
			
		
More Technology News...
  
	
    
  
	
	
    
     
     
    
    
        
	
		
		 
	
		
     
		
	 
               
       
      
               
       
      
	
    
		
          
	
	
  
	
 
	
		
	
    
		
	
  
	
    
		 
Editor's Choice
	
     
Slideshow 
A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours.  Slideshow 
  
	
  
	
    
		
          
	 
	 
         
         
		
        
	
  
 
 
	
    
				
Most Popular on Reuters
				
					
					
Articles
					
Video
					
				 
			
			
  
               
      
	
	
		
		
						
				
			
Virgin sees space tourism as just the beginning
				
		
			Obama seeks to double tax law enforcement budget
				
		
			Afghanistan's only pig quarantined in flu fear
				
		
			GM burns $10 billion in first quarter as deadline looms  |  Video
				
		
			Michael Jackson former publicist sues for $44 million
				
		
			For sale: tropical islands at recession-friendly prices
				
		
			Pirates fire at U.S. Navy ship off Somalia
				
		
			Obama budget cuts have little deficit impact
				
		
			U.S. cities need national bailout agency: Rohatyn
				
		
			WRAPUP 5-Stress test results due; investors seek clarity
				
		
		
			
			
Most Popular Articles RSS Feed
		
		
      
               
      
	
	
		
            
                  
                  
										
                  Video 
		
    
			
 Face transplant recipient revealed
    
			 The fog of Afghanistan
    
			 Burger run for Obama and Biden
    
			 Banks in need?
    
			 Wildfires in western U.S.
    
			 China eases quarantine
    
			 Civilian toll in Afghanistan
    
			 Chancellor Merkel underwear
    
			 Mexico eases flu restrictions
    
			 Afghan, Pakistani leaders meet Obama
    
	
		
		
Most Popular Videos RSS Feed
	
	
      
	
	
	
     
Reuters Deals
The global destination for corporate leaders, deal-makers and innovators
Knowledge to Act
  
	
    
		
 
 
	
  
               
      
 
      
          
  
    
Reuters.com: 
    Help and Contact Us  | 
    Advertise With Us  | 
    Mobile  | 
    Newsletters  | 
    RSS  | 
    Interactive TV  | 
    Labs  | 
    Archive  | 
    Site Index  | 
    Video Index
    
Thomson Reuters Corporate: 
		Copyright  | 
		Disclaimer  | 
		Privacy  | 
		Professional Products  | 
		Professional Products Support  | 
		About Thomson Reuters  | 
    Careers
  	
 
  	
International Editions:
  	
  	Africa  | 
  	Arabic  | 
  	Argentina  | 
  	Brazil  | 
  	Canada  | 
  	China  | 
  	France  | 
  	Germany  | 
  	India  | 
  	Italy  | 
  	Japan  | 
  	Latin America  | 
  	Mexico  | 
  	Russia  | 
  	Spain  | 
  	United Kingdom  | 
  	United States
    
 
    
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
    
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
  
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
Other News on Friday,  8 May 2009 Singapore's most-wanted militant arrested after escape
| International
|  
Egypt brushes off reports on nuclear traces
| International
|  
Huge U.S. camp arises in Afghan Desert of Death
| International
|  
U.S. calls for credible 2010 Sudan election
| International
|  
Visionary or plane crazy? Airbus contest to decide
| Technology
|  
Moms trust Ellen DeGeneres with kids: poll
| Entertainment
|  
Rock 'n' roll survivor Duff McKagan back on the road
| Entertainment
|  
Pakistan forces bomb Taliban in Swat after PM speech
| International
|  
Probe confirms US killed Afghan civilians: reports  
Asian countries pledge common fight against flu
| International
|  
Pope prepares to start Mideast trip  
A year on, China quake survivors face uncertain future
| International
|  
Venezuela soldiers seize oil service companies
| International
|  
Ex-U.S. soldier found guilty in Iraqi rape and deaths  
Porpoise is 2nd to give birth in captivity  
Singapore's most wanted militant arrested in Malaysia
| International
|  
Iraq: Firm once known as Blackwater exits Baghdad  
Venezuela to nationalize oil service companies  
China vice premier says world economy to worsen: report
| International
|  
Afghan suicide attack kills 12 civilians  
US banks need to up capital to meet 'stress tests'  
Blair says Israel-Palestinian talks must address core issues  
Obama budget to slash 'stunning' waste in US  
Washington committed to seeking Syria-Israel deal  
Pills that are Gazans' little helpers
| International
|  
Kiefer Sutherland arrested on assault charge  
Unsafe, salvaged cars cause havoc in Kabul
| International
|  
US banks scramble to raise capital after stress tests  
US bank tests 'considerable comfort' to investors: Bernanke  
Obese young men have less hope of marriage: study  
Global auto sector faces big shakeup  
Obama vows to cut 'stunning' government waste  
Google CEO says he expects more government scrutiny
| Technology
|  
Activision eyes Guitar Hero TV series, tour
| Technology
|  
Ex US-soldier found guilty of rape, murder  
Google CEO says he expects more government scrutiny  
Update: Gunman In Connecticut University Shooting Surrenders  
Heart Attack-Stricken Mississippi Mayor Dies After Reelection Defeat  
Virtual Earth gets 3D Photosynth views  
Xerox unveils new color printer  
Illinois Police Sergeant Arrested For Death Of Ex-Wife  
Thousands flee as fires gut California homes  
Kentucky Jury Convicts Discharged Soldier For Rape, Murder Of Iraqi Family  
GE to spend $6 bln on high-tech health sector  
American Tourist Caught Swimming Away From Burmese Opposition Leader's Lakeside Home  
Lawsuit Alleges California's KeyPoint Credit Union Discriminates Against Deaf Customers  
Brazil rejects extradition of Italian leftist  
Clinton buries disputes for new Russia ties  
Microsoft buying Canadian online game company  
Connecticut School In Lockdown As Cops Look For Gunman Who Shot Dead Student  
Charles Manson's last hideout burns in California  
Hackers taking advantage of Windows 7: Microsoft  
EU holds landmark summit with ex-Soviet states  
Merkin Sued For $557.8 Million By Liquidating Trustee  
9 people injured in blast at Md. shopping center  
Microsoft to buy game maker BigPark  
Georgia opposition seeks Saakashvili talks  
$75 Billion In Capital Needed By 10 Banks According To Stress Tests  
US swine flu victims had chronic health problems  
Toledo Point-Shaving Scandal Indicts Six Former Players, Two Businessmen  
Google tightens bonds with YouTube users  
Aristocrat guilty of Kenya manslaughter  
Feds ready to build virtual fence along border  
Future of journalism debated in US Senate  
Thomson Reuters says profits rise in first quarter  
Microsoft to buy game maker BigPark  
Ryan O'Neal offers grim outlook on Farrah Fawcett
| Entertainment
|  
Star Trek looks to enter new box-office galaxy
| Entertainment
|  
NKorea vows to strengthen nuclear deterrent  
One of last Wizard of Oz Munchkins dies
| Entertainment
|  
World must pressure China over Tiananmen: dissidents  
Kiefer Sutherland charged with assault in NY
| Entertainment
|  
Boxing champ Pacquiao returns home to hero's welcome  
The Simpsons get the (postal) stamp of success
| Entertainment
|  
Mexico relieved but world swine flu fears persist  
No kung-fu, Asian beauties in Malaysia Cannes film
| Entertainment
|  
Pakistan army fights, but can it win?  
Spinal Tap roars Back From the Dead
| Entertainment
|  
New Zealand cops lock down city in gunman standoff  
LA judge rejects Polanski bid to dismiss sex case
| Entertainment
|  
NZ police lock down city in standoff with gunman  
Quake survivor Panda bounds into China's theaters
| Entertainment
|  
Gul sinks Australia in Twenty20  
Thousands of civilians flee Pakistani war zone  
Russia warns Japan against 'inflated hopes' in islands dispute  
World Bank sees Cambodian GDP recovery in 2010  
ExxonMobil starts work on Shanghai technology centre  
Taiwan dlr up on fund inflows, but c.bank caps gains  
Former coal mine aids Arctic climate research  
S.Korea bonds down, recent falls may renew interest  
Store admits it boobed in bra dispute  
Korea Hot Stocks  
Sikh police want bullet-proof turbans  
Seoul shares dip; Hyundai E&C up after stake sale  
Carreras retires from opera  
Vietnamese war hero fires salvo over mining plan  
Ryan O'Neal offers grim outlook on Farrah Fawcett  
China warns EU on protectionism  
LA judge rejects Polanski bid to dismiss sex case  
Taiwan promises to regulate foreign aid  
Chris Brown's lawyer wants LAPD records  
Hitachi hikes annual net loss forecast to $8.0 bln  
LA judge denies Polanski's bid to toss sex case  
'24' star Sutherland charged over head-butt claim  
US braces for more summer car breakdowns  
Iraqi relatives urge death for U.S. rape soldier  
Pope hopes Catholic Church can help Mideast peace
| International
|  
U.N. experts prepare to investigate war crimes in Gaza
| International
|  
US says Afghan strikes death toll exaggerated  
Conservative rival raps Iran president on economy  
Leading figures sit out Afghan presidential poll
| International
|  
US unemployment hits 8.9 pct as 539,000 jobs lost  
Contractor's slaying of Afghan man divides  
British store admits it boobed in bra row  
Russia says it's ready to move forward on NATO ties
| International
|  
International peacekeeper killed in Sudan's Darfur
| International
|  
Georgian opposition agrees to talks on stalemate
| International
|  
Villagers list 147 dead in Afghan strike
| International
|  
Powerful Croat MP gets 10 years for war crimes
| International
|  
Obama budget rescinds energy industry tax breaks  
Wall Street pares gains after jobs data  
Layoffs slow to 539K in April; jobless rate rises  
Danny Gokey, `American Idol' crews visit Milwaukee  
Wildfire raging near Calif. city; 30,000 evacuated  
Don't rewrite WWII history: Medvedev  
Ex-soldier could get death in Iraq rape, slayings  
Amid turmoil, new Illinois governor nears 100 days  
'Babyface' look can help black CEOs, study says  
Obama envoy urges NKorea to open dialogue with US  
Sherpa presumed dead in avalanche on Mt. Everest  
East Asia agrees on strategy to fight swine flu  
Financial crisis inspires Tori Amos' latest album
| Entertainment
|  
25 dead as typhoon hits Philippines: officials  
Pakistan kills 'more than 140' militants  
Researchers urge crackdown on junk food TV ads
| Entertainment
|  
China: School rebuilding on track in quake zone  
U.S. warns North Korea of consequences for nuclear test  
US denies report that 147 died in Afghan violence  
AFC president wins bitter fight for key FIFA seat  
Chinese parents protest tainted milk deaths  
Bachchan: Hollywood warming to Indian escapism  
Japan's Toshiba announces biggest loss  
Agent's Hollywood success? Mom gets the credit  
Toyota posts first loss, sees worse ahead  
S.Korea utilities in China coal talks, seek hefty discount  
San Miguel bids for Philippines power plant  
Toyota sees losses growing this year  
AIG close to selling Tokyo building: source  
S.Korea bond traders see no rate change next week  
Bollywood boycott dulls Indian screens  
Financial crisis inspires Tori Amos' latest album  
Bachchan: Hollywood warming to Indian escapism  
2 rare elephants found dead in Indonesian jungle  
Bachchan: Bollywood seeks higher profile in China  
Agent's Hollywood success? Mom gets the credit  
Hindsight: Be careful what you search for  
List of top 15 cable TV shows for April 27-May 3  
`Store Front' documents retail face of NY City  
New `Trek' crew roams beyond `hailing frequencies'  
New threat to Iraq's antiquities  
US-TECH Summary  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights