Pod planes could change How we fly

Pod Planes could change how we fly

Vocabulary

Pod
a part of a vehicle that is self contained or able to be separated from the main part
: Some jet planes have escape pods instead of *ejector seats.

*the type of seat that can throw away person from the plane



modular
consisting of separate parts that can be joined
: Our modular shelving is very easy to assemble

cargo
goods carried by a ship, plane, truck, etc.
: The cargo is still on the ship.

Version
a form of something that is different from other forms the same thing
: I sent you the old version of the report by mistake.

drone
a pilotless aircraft that is remote controlled
: Drones are so popular that there are even drone races.


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Clip-Air is a modular plane design created by the Federal *Polytechnic Institute in Switzerland. It is one of several groups working on modular plane designs, which could change the way we fly. *(a technical school offering instruction in many industrial arts and applied sciences)

 Modular planes come from the idea of a shipping container, which allows cargo to be moved easily between different types of vehicles. One part of the plane has wings, engines and the controls for the pilots. This part then carries a separate pod, which could be for passengers or for cargo.

The flying part of the Clip-Air design looks like a large wing with long metal legs that make space for up to three pods to be attached underneath. This system allows the planes to land and pick up new passengers or cargo more quickly than current planes, since the pods could be filled before the flying part of the plane arrives.

It might even be possible to move the pods onto trucks or train tracks, so passenger could travel to places beyond the airport without leaving their seats.

One company could own the flying part, and another might own the pods. There could even be different company for each pod on the same flight, allowing customers to choose the kind of service they want.

However, Clip-Air says it will be 40 to 50 years before a plane with three pods will be ready to fly. A smaller version with one pod could be ready in five to 10years, and Clip-Air is now preparing to build a 10-meter test drone.

The idea for modular planes is not new. Germany designed a kind of modular during World War 2. In 1950, the American company Fairchild made a modular plane, but it was very hard to fly without the pod, and only one was ever built.