nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
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 Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 7:08 am Post subject: Volt electrics: To do or not to do, that is the question. |
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An interesting article, both for the technology described
and the information that give rise to pondering return
on investment/reliability.
Without a doubt, the industry's ability to put a host
of features into a small package is inarguable. From
the perspective of a user of such features, there's
a question of value. A second, and equally important
consideration is the consideration of risk. Few failures
in 4-wheeled vehicles pose concerns for life-threatening
failure . . . at least today. I'm reading mumbles
about all electric braking . . . and steer by wire
system being proposed for automobiles.
The longevity of exceedingly complex consumer products
speaks to advances of an ability to produce but
most markets for complex systems have little need to
worry about cost of ownership and gross reliability
issues that concern designers, builders and operators
of aircraft.
I think it is useful to watch what comes over the hill
in ground-based technologies and to ponder its utility
in future aircraft applications. At the same time,
I am cognizant of my own motivations to climb into
an admittedly risky machine and give up contact with
the ground. I do it for fun and personal satisfaction
as a pilot . . . whether the machine is fitted like a
J-3 or a 787 matters not . . . no, it does matter.
It takes too long and costs too much to be proficient
in a 787. Further, proficiency in a 787 takes too much
time and attention away from "flying." A talented instructor
and a J-3 frees me from the earth in a few hours in a
machine that places few demands on visceral or material
resources.
This gives rise to a personal considerations of what
features we should expend time, talent and resources
to acquire . . . and what we can live quite nicely
without. Each of us has to make the trade off between
design goals and expenditures. The Volt is one example
of some amazing abilities "to do stuff". But quite
often, the best way to drive a nail is the judicious
and skilled application of a hammer.
Bob . . . [quote][b]
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