Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to re: Robert Zubrin is an aerospace engineer like me.

re: Robert Zubrin is an aerospace engineer like me.
EnergyExpert — (archived)

Yes, aerospace engineers do you cut their margins more and use more expensive construction techniques. That is why a light plane usually costs more then a luxury car.

Also they ten to under estimate the abuse a car takes, both from its environment and its neglect by untrained and usually non-technical owners. Even if it’s a fleet vehicle the stresses are usually high. Look at the lesson Grumman learned when they went into the bus business. Their first buses had frames cracking right and left when they built them to aerospace standards. When they rebuilt them to bus standards they finally became reliable. The wind industry learned the same lesson when they tried to build wind turbines like aircraft propellers were built. Expensive and far less reliable.

If the cars you proposed ever made it in the mass market they would probably be maintenance nightmares. And would quickly fail as they develop a reputation for being less reliable because of their “aerospace” construction techniques.

Yes, the aerospace engineering culture is self-defeating when you folks get out of your narrow field.

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (132 posts)