New Hydrogen Engine Test Shows Future of Aviation

An anonymous reader writes to mention Boeing has successfully completed tests for the engine that will power HALE, the new prop plane that will be able to stay aloft for long periods of time. "The wünderengine, developed by the Ford Motor Company, went for three days under the simulated conditions of a 65,000-feet flight, which is definitely better than a Taurus and apparently exceeded their expectations on fuel economy. Chris Haddox at Boeing's Advanced Systems said that while it will be several years before HALE flies, the key to this aircraft is the propulsion system and this recent test was very promising."

Curious now...

[LiquidCoooled]

What sort of mileage does a Taurus get at 65000 feet?

But they Cannot Build a Fuel Efficient Car?

[CodeBuster]

The wünderengine, developed by the Ford Motor Company, went for three days under the simulated conditions of a 65,000-feet flight

This must be why the average fuel economy of American cars continues to suck so much dirt, all of the engineers are working on high altitude aircraft engines for use in the upcoming (any day now) FLYING version of the Ford Taurus...yeah.

sounds like it will be a really hot technology

[User 956]

New Hydrogen Engine Test Shows Future of Aviation

Oh, the humanity!

Re:Curious now...

[achilles777033]

65000 ft/tank. None of them managed to keep moving after that.

Taurus at 65,000ft?

[Anonymous Coward]

How about that, I didn't know that Ford's new Taurus could fly that high. The last time I tried to get a Taurus to fly, I could only get about 3 feet off the ground and usually ended up shoving the front suspension through the hood upon landing.

My, how far they've come with car technology these days...

Fuel economy increases with empty tank?

[Radon360]

So, the fuel economy would go up with less fuel in the tank? Is this the reason why my wife always seems to drive her Taurus around with the fuel gauge always on "E"?

You people need to stop feeding this sort of stuff to the mechanically inept. I mean, it took me two hours to explain there was no such thing as "blinker fluid" to her friend the other day.

Re:Curious now...

[jo7hs2]

Well, mine got around 26mpg at 5,000ft, and around 28mpg at 0ft, so I can only assume that it would get exactly 2mpg, subtracting 1mpg for every 2500ft. But your mileage may vary.

After market aircraft enhancements...

[Anonymous Coward]

"And despite its light appearance, the aircraft will be able to carry a 2,000-pound multi-sensor payload, plus a custom fender, flame stickers for an extra speed punch and/or synthetic leather finish."

Cool! I didn't know those sorts of add-on options worked for planes too! :-)

Re:Fuel economy increases with empty tank?

[russ1337]

I mean, it took me two hours to explain there was no such thing as "blinker fluid" to her friend the other day.

If you're so clever... then what is this stuff [google.com] I've been buying?!!

Re:yeah right, hydrogen is gonna save us!

[pilgrim23]

Given that their plans are all up in the air, it probably will never fly as a fuel source

Re:sounds like it will be a really hot technology

[GenP]

Well, the alternative was Sex Panther but that was rejected for obvious flammability and sexiness reasons.

Bad experiences with hydrogen.

[had3l]

You know what other aircraft was hydrogen powered? THE HINDENBURG! *hides under the desk*