View Single Post
  #18  
Old Posted Dec 16, 2016, 5:19 PM
initiald's Avatar
initiald initiald is offline
Oak City
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Raleigh
Posts: 4,946
Good points. At the same time you could say the same about autos - 4 wheels and box with seats has been the same design for over a century.

Maybe some technology finds the best form, then just makes refinements to that form? For aircraft, standard monowing design. But that design has seen small improvements such as winglets and now the flexible wings of the 787, two large, reliable engines replacing the standard 3 or 4 smaller engine designs, etc.

Until we find another need and a large enough demand for that need, I don't see many major changes. Maybe one day there will be personal quadcoptors for everyone. Or new supersonic jet aircraft. That won't change until new tech and energy sources become cost effective compared to demand.
Reply With Quote