(12) Innovations... this is What we Need.

Chinese scientists have developed a "Wing-In-Ground" (WIG) aircraft
which can fly long distances just a few feet above the sea surface,


The plane can fly as low as half a meter (1 ft 7 ins) off the surface,
hitting speeds of up to 300 km (180 miles) per hour and can carry up
to 4 tonnes on takeoff.

"It's as safe as ships, although five or six times faster," associate
professor Xu Zhengyu, vice-president of the research team at Tongji
University in Shanghai, was quoted as saying.

"And it can carry much more weight than ordinary planes while costing
half as much and using half as much fuel."

Wing In Ground effect refers to the reduction in drag experienced by
an aircraft as it approaches a height approximately twice a wingspan's
length off the ground or other level surface such as the sea.

Xu said the plane could be flown for military use and border control.

Tongji University planned to develop a 50-seat WIG by 2013, with 200
prototypes capable of carrying 200 to 400 tonnes scheduled for 2016 or
2017.

"Taking advantage of the aerodynamics of the ground effect, which adds
extra lift when flying at very low altitudes, the aircraft can fly
close to the water's surface," the China Daily said.

"This cuts back at least one third on fuel consumption, compared with
standard planes of the same size, because the plane can benefit from
air buoyancy."

The WIG has been listed as one of three types of aircraft given the
green light in the general aviation field by the State Commission of
Science Technology and Industry for National Defense, Xu was quoted as
saying.

"However, the Civil Aviation Administration of China has yet to
confirm aviation regulations at such low altitudes, which may become a
problem," Xinhua said.



-11th Juky 2007




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