Supersonic Jet Ditching Windows for Display Screens

 

530x298

A. Pawlowski, NBC News contributor
No matter what perks airlines take away from you, the one thing you can still count on is a genuine peek at the clouds at 35,000 feet. That might go away, too, one day, replaced with a virtual reality version of the iconic airplane window.


Spike Aerospace, a Boston engineering firm that’s developing a small supersonic jet, recently caused a stir when it announced its plane wouldn’t have any windows in the passenger cabin. Instead, thin screens installed on the walls of the aircraft would display live views captured by cameras mounted outside.

The screens can show one large panorama, or each individual panel could show a separate image, said Vik Kachoria, one of the founders of Spike Aerospace. Besides showing real-time surroundings, the screens could display anything the passengers choose, such as a movie, a work presentation or a beautiful sunset.

Source: Spike Aerospace
Spike Aerospace developing a supersonic plane that will be windowless and replaced with display screens inside.
But he acknowledged the windowless design would take some getting used to.
“People have been expecting windows and looking out. But I think people are also used to working in cubicles where there are no windows, spending a lot of time indoors or staring at a computer screen,” Kachoria said.
Pent-up winter demand to boost travel spending
“Once they realize they can see exactly what’s outside in a much better view than they would see otherwise, once they start realizing you don’t get the sun glare, (they will like it).”

The cockpit, of course, will still have a real-life view, but Kachoria predicted windowless cabins would be the norm within 20 years on small planes like the one his company is working on. The Spike S-512 supersonic jet is designed to accommodate 12 to 18 passengers and promises to fly from New York to London in under four hours as it cruises at average speeds of 1,060-1,200 mph. Kachoria estimated it would be ready by the end of this decade, but added “we have a long ways to go.”

Airlines improving—except at getting there on-time
Brian Wardle, associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also expects to see planes with windowless cabins in the future.

“I think this notion of using screens and very small cameras is a good one,” Wardle said. “It’s sort of a cruel thing we do to our beautiful composite structures—put holes in them for windows.”

When structural details, like windows, are added to a plane, they need to be reinforced, Wardle said. Engineers know how to do that safely, but dealing with a smooth surface without structural details is more structurally efficient, he added. The result is a lighter plane that’s also more fuel efficient.

530x2982

The best & worst in airline quality
CNBC’s Phil LeBeau reports the results of the 24th annual National Airline Quality ratings which focuses on the performance and quality of the 15 largest U.S. airlines.

Wardle said he’s “not a window person” on planes, so he’d be comfortable in a windowless cabin. But it’s not clear whether most fliers could stand sitting in a metal tube without any real way of looking outside.

Kachoria has already had so much feedback from people worried they might experience claustrophobia, vertigo and nausea that the company is considering adding a couple of windows to the design.

Overall, Kachoria was excited by the public response to the windowless cabin. Whether it’ll actually show up at your airline down the road remains to be seen.

Meet the ‘intelligent aircraft’—You may fly it one day
A Boeing spokesman had no comment about this particular design, but noted the company’s 787 Dreamliner was designed to offer “the features passengers prefer” such as large, dimmable windows.

“At Boeing, we are always studying future concepts that would best meet the needs of our customers and the flying public,” said spokesman Doug Alder.
—By A. Pawlowski, an NBC News contributor

More News

Canadian Customers Social Giveaway

TAPit-Kilparrin-CS-Media-Feature-image

TAPit® Interactive Education Display Helps Students Learn to Navigate Digital Tools at Kilparrin School in Adelaide, Australia

Big Book of AV Dealer Show

Spring 2021 Exertis Virtual Big Book of AV Dealer Show Set to Break New Records for Engagement, Training and New Product Presentations

AMHERST, NEW YORK, February 25, 2021 — Leveraging the full power and flexibility of its unique one-to-one virtual event platform, Exertis ProAV, the global leader in specialist commercial AV distribution, today announced the initial dates for its Spring 2021 North American Virtual Big Book of AV Dealer Show schedule that includes six “virtual stops” in […]

Exertis Ztorm

Exertis Appoints New Managing Director for Ztorm

AMHERST, NEW YORK January 6, 2021 — Exertis, a leading route-to-market and supply chain partner for global technology brands across consumer, business and enterprise, today announced the appointment of William van Kerkvoorde as the managing director for Swedish-based B2B digital distribution company Exertis Ztorm. In this new position, van Kerkvoorde will aim to enable Exertis […]

Exertis Announces Acquisition of JB&A Inc

Leading distributor expands Pro AV capabilities and specialisms in North America Dublin: 22nd December 2020: – Exertis, a leading route-to-market and supply chain partner for global technology brands across consumer, business and enterprise, announced today its acquisition of JB&A Inc. JB&A Inc is a leading distributor of broadcast, post-production and pro AV technologies, to system […]

ScreenBeam Distribution

ScreenBeam Expands Collaboration Solutions Distribution Partnership with Exertis ProAV to the Americas and Canada

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, December 1, 2020 – ScreenBeam, a global leader in wireless display and collaboration solutions, announced today that its existing partnership with Exertis ProAV now extends to the United States, Latin America and Canada. ScreenBeam began its partnership with Exertis in March 2020 as a strategic U.K. supplier. Kevin Kelly, Exertis ProAV President […]

Stampede Rebrands as Exertis

Stampede Rebrands as Exertis, Setting the Stage for a New Era of Specialist Distribution

AMHERST, NEW YORK, October 1, 2020 — Reaffirming its unique ability to serve as the industry-leading high value added, specialist distribution partner for manufacturers seeking multi-market expertise, flexible supply chain solutions, and the financial resources to help them scale locally and globally, Stampede today announced that its operations in the United States, Canada and Latin […]

Stampede Parent Exertis International Announces Key Management Appointments Highlighting Acquisitive Growth Strategy in North America

AMHERST, NEW YORK, May 28, 2020 — Reflecting the evolution of its increasingly global business presence and expanding focus on North American growth through acquisition, Stampede parent Exertis International, today announced several key executive appointments that will help the company to achieve its long-term growth objectives across all of its business units. In announcing the […]

Stampede XtraCare Program

Stampede XtraCare Program Launches to Meet the Needs of a Covid-19 Challenged ProAV Industry

Program’s design helps strengthen the fabric of the industry from the physical well-being of people to the financial well-being of integrators and gives thanks to front line healthcare professionals. AMHERST, NEW YORK, May 14, 2020 — Extending the spirit of the CARES Act enacted last month by Congress, Stampede, the global leader of value added […]

Stampede to Host First Virtual Big Book of AV Event for Cleveland Resellers on May 14, 2020

AMHERST, NEW YORK, April 28, 2020 — Demonstrating creativity and resiliency in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, Stampede, the global leader in value added ProAV distribution, is turning its Cleveland, Ohio Big Book of AV tour stop into a live virtual event on May 14, 2020 that will focus on pre-arranged one-to-one manufacturer-reseller focused […]

Exertis fact sheet

Credit & Finance

The Exertis group offers an extensive range of credit services, leasing and financial options to enable our partners and their customers to afford the solutions they need to grow.

Share This