Just a concept for now, the Airborne Hotel also known as abh, is creating a flutter in the skies with its impending application. It’s an innovative seating system for wide-body aircraft that optimizes the available cabin space in the lines of double-decker system. Roomy and ensuring a fully-reclining seat-bed for every passenger on board, this concept maintains and even increases the passenger capacity of an aircraft. Entry for the ‘Create the Future Design Contest’ this is conceptualized by a team of Mexican-based designers and engineers.
The design’s functionality is based on the bi-level configuration of its seating modules, which enables the utilization of the otherwise empty overhead space in an aircraft cabin. . This kind of modular system will offer luxurious freedom without throwing its weight on the aircraft because the modules’ honeycomb structure enables the use of lighter materials Not exactly a luxury concept but then who said that comfort isn’t luxury?

With such well designed seating options, air-travelers can chuck their “crammed space woes” outside the aircraft’s cabin. Here’s for passengers to get a more comfortable flight, without their airfares skyrocketing.
Via  Core77 , AirlineBlog

Not all of us have the means and the luck to fly a jet, but can still give wings to our fantasy by dreaming about it. Science has taken our dream one step ahead by developing simulators that can make one feel as if one is actually flying a jet.
The recently introduced SX02 Flight Simulator promises to give you first hand flying experience albeit air crash and all. Fascinating enough, but I am sure that the price of the simulator would be a damper for most of us. Spending $9,500 is not everybody’s cup of tea so most of us can only window shop the simulator! Or you may go to our earlier post where we have scanned all the simulators to give you the top 11. For now, let me describe this dream machine a little more.

The SX02 claims to be the mother of all flight simulators as it comes along with surround sound and surround screens to make the experience as close to reality as possible. It comes along with HOTAS Joystick and a tension adjustable hand throttle too. Price is the only factor that is not so perfect in this otherwise perfect piece but as they say, All good things come with a price tag attached!
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If that stale thought of contemporary helicopter being considered as mere compilation of spare parts flying in a fine arrangement bothers you, thereby making you revise your plans of getting one developed then here you may have a sigh of relief. Christened as Sikorsky X2, the first flight of the speedy helicopter was scheduled at the Schweizer Aircraft’s rapid prototyping facility in Horseheads, New York and am glad to share that it was successfully accomplished yesterday. The 30-minute flight was a long anticipated marker as it was initially planned to happen around two years ago.

After the testing is done, it is being said that the dual-propped fly-by-wire speedster will explode through the air at 288mph, crowning it the fastest helicopter ever developed in the world. If all plans successfully meet a reality check then the X2’s makers can consider the thought of its civilian production by 2010. Coming to technical specks, the X2 derives its power from a Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Co. (LHTEC) T800 engine that was formerly urbanized for the now obsolete RAH-66 Comanche helicopter.

With its not-so-new design, the helicopter features fly-by-wire controls and sophisticated avionics that engineers wish will contradict the high tremor issues identified in other coaxial rotor designs.

Via PointNiner/ FlightGlobal

The Draganfly offering of helicopter cameras got a welcoming response buy they say the lately unveiled Draganfly X6 is ultra-appealing. Its triple-tipped carbon fiber structure sports two carbon rotors on both ends and intelligent construction enables it move in all directions swiftly, providing sufficient control to zip about indoors yet oppose up to 18 miles per hour of wind. Monitored by a distant radio, the purpose behind the development of mini helicopter Draganflyer X6 is to lug wireless video cameras and still cameras. They say a pair of glasses would feature the same thing as the hatchet in the air, while you are footing on the floor with the handheld regulator. For safety, reconnaissance, scrutiny, damage assessment, investigation, real estate endorsement, or marketing, it is suggestible to use the high definition motion video provided by the Draganflyer X6 helicopter.

The eminent feature of the Draganflyer X6 is its miniscule structure that allows it to fly indoors againat other full-size helicopters or airplanes and is colossal enough to fly outside in winds at a speed of 30km/h (18mph). It is accessible using 11 sensors and thousands of lines of regulations to self-stabilize during flight.

Via Gizmodo / GeekAlters

Christened as Zephyr-6, the solar-driven plane designed in UK has lately marked an informal flight fortitude record by making an unmanned flight for over three days. The manifestation of the aircraft was scheduled in the US state of Arizona and is claimed as a revolution in military astuteness. Developed by QinetiQ, the airliner doesn’t entail fueling stop as the incorporated solar panels are suffice to stockpile solar energy required to carry night maneuvers.

A spokesperson shared with BBC: “Zephyr can be anticipated to be devloped as a complete operational system in coming two years.”

The Zephyr ascended to a height of 60,000 ft, where it monitored on autopilot for continuous 82 hours in the air.

Via GadgetsNGizmos / DesignBoom

The busy-professionals who give their blood to their work expect quality revenue in return. And that is not to populate their overflowing bank balances but to do justice to their personality by enabling them exercise things that only extraordinary gentry can do. Realizing this, a private jet christened as Hawker 4000 was unveiling demanding a biting sum of $21 million. The business jet offers a secretive space for professionals to discuss their confidential meetings. The grand interiors of the Hawker 4000 feature a multiple duplicate system and quality avionics.

To do away with the constraint of not having enough time to be devoted towards its maintenance, the Hawker 4000 can be witnessed as an ideal jet as it assures a longer exterior life (Erosion Proof) that was formed after investing few billions on the research work.

The aircraft offers quietest interior cabins assuring a peaceful private journey. If you happen to belong to that non-business class but are high on aspirations to possess such pricey models then start saving on to be able to get one after years from now.

Via CNN

For rovers, who wish to travel more in sky than roads and welcome bikes above cars, here is healthy bait for them. Albeit a concept, the MotoPOD RV-10 is a cargo pod that can accommodate a motorcycle into a plane. Unveiled at Airventure 08, the cargo pod enables you to carry a street-legal motorbike in your jet’s abdomen along with a pin system, and a crane.

Accessible from its top, it takes only minutes to unfurl the handlebars, pull the bike out after landing and you are all set to burn the road. Lately, the MotoPOD unit was veteran with the company’s customized motorcycles i.e. a four-seat Van’s Aircraft RV-10 kit built experimental aircraft costing 9 knots airspeed during tour. Company claims to facilitate the feature in STC’d models viz. Cirrus SR22, Cessna 182 and other aircraft versions.

Availing this facility would mean getting additional 230 pounds to your aircraft and would demand a spill over for $10,000. Those who enroll now would have to pay petty $1,000, which again is wholly refundable if you happen to change your mindset. Word is around that they offer special bargains for early customers.

Check out the video :

Via Gizmag / AVWeb

Yes, this deserves a presence over here as it claims to be “the world’s first practical jetpack” by a New Zealand born Glenn Martin, 48. Not coming from the movies or comic strips, the $100,000 Jetpack made its first visibility at the EAA AirVenture, the colossal yearly air show. The flying gear is an out product of Glenn’s 27 years of efforts invested in developing such a device. Measuring five-feet tall, its rotors are sheathed in two bulky channels with an appeal that of a cupcake. Standing on three legs, the Jetpack comes equipped with twin rotors and 200-horsepower engine that generates 600 lbs of thrust and can be piloted 30 miles within 30-minutes with a fuel-gas tank populated with around five gallons.

Functional via a joy stick-like control, it demands a spill over of few $$$$ from your deep pockets along with 15-hours of training session in order to take you fly one of Martin Jetpacks. And if doubt the safety factor involved then would propose you to ignore than void thought as before making it public Martin made his wife Vanessa do a test piloting. Those still looking for a second option can consider world’s first practical three-wheeled flying car.

For virtual ride on this, check out the video here:

Via NYTimes/ Geekologie

With inflation maintaining its two-digit figure and fuel prices portraying a deep southward curve, it may seem to bother you but those with deep pockets are happily enjoying the luxuries of life. With enough amount of money to burn, the In-flight showers from Emirates is now being seen as an excuse by folks owning fat bank balances to enjoy a ride. Undoubtedly, the world’s best airline, proclaimed “shower spas” service, which will offer each of the 14 first-class passengers a five-minute douse in-flight. Substituting numerous airplane bathrooms, the confined stand has integrated traffic lights to make you aware when your five minutes bathe is over. To offer this deluxe comfort, the airliner is loaded with over 1000 pounds worth of water with little adding to the cost of Airliner Company as fortunate and desiring passengers are ready to spill over $9374 for a plane ticket and mind you the shower cannot be counted as mere half of the profligacy.

Each of those seated 14 first-classers will have a private suite featuring remote-controlled doors, mini bar, work desk, and a lay-flat bed with incorporated massager. It’s a warm invitation to feel high by enjoying the stay in a five-mile-high club. It would be no exaggeration if we consider U.S airlines new avatar as a cattle car.

Via Deluxeblog

Can you recall the Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Mothership? News is today Virgin Founder, Sir Richard Branson and SpaceShipOne designer, Burt Rutan, hauled back the barn doors on the novel WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier airliner. Touted as the world’s largest all carbon fused jumbo jet, the vehicle can ride at an utmost elevation of 50,000 ft and its U.S. coast-to-coast assortment will enable the spacecraft to be send out on long interval voyage. Driven by four Pratt and Whitney PW308A engines, the WhiteKnight2 is an airplane that will commence SpaceShipTwo into suborbital space.

The flight for WK2 will commence once it reaches an apposite juncture in a broad test program that has by now begun with ground tests. The flight test program will be all-inclusive even prior to SpaceShipTwo is approved as a consignment for the first time in 2009. It is being told that Richard Branson and his family will be the first one to bore the flight that will last 2.5-hours with five minutes of weightlessness before the craft reaches back to Earth.

Via Wired / CrunchGear