Imagine rows of planes parked at a charging station powered by a fleet of wind turbines. Wind farms have replaced the fuel trucks of yesterday, filling the plane’s batteries with all the power it will need for a flight. Windmills may also be used to jumpstart these planes in a new eco-friendly airport that harnesses the power of wind. This future will have taken inspiration from the explorers of our past who circumnavigated the world by using ships powered by sails. This a future that is cognizant of the value of free and emission-free energy.
If we can devote meticulous studies to making wind-powered engines generating some serious power, we will see airplanes that can last a whole flight on a full battery tank as opposed to a full tank of gas. Imagine how much lighter these planes would be! With the typical gallon of jet fuel weighing around 6 pounds and a Boeing 747 burning over 30,000 gallons for a 10-hour flight, we are looking at an extra 180,000 pounds of weight for a long-distance flight. By eliminating this massive weight, the mechanics and needs of airplanes would change dramatically and for the better- focusing on the weight of the passengers rather than trying to accommodate tons of jet fuel.
Wind is all around us and a completely renewable source of energy. If we can get on board with mastering the efficiency of the wind engine, plane tickets will no longer be dependent on the price of heavy jet fuel. Planes will shed the weight that requires so much energy for them to take off in the first place. We will also be building a new culture that is based on doing what is right for the environment instead of what is easiest or the most convenient. The path that has been taken has proven its finite nature and negative impact on our outdoor air quality. Giving wind power some serious research and development will definitely create the planes that will take us into the 22nd century and beyond.