I think the reality is that diesel electric is more expensive up front, weighs more, and is less efficient than straight diesel (or straight electric). Those 3 things plus labor cost are what truckers care about, so it’s a non starter for them.

Trucking companies have a very hard time making a buck - they have to pinch every penny they can- it’s a very competitive industry.

I’m seeing trans weights around 700 lb., and 250 Hp DC motors around 2,500. The latter isn’t for transport and I’m sure you could do better, but I don’t think it’s getting to 700 lb.

Making trucks diesel electric would add the weight of the electric motors without taking any weight out, I’d think. So you lose payload. Not an issue for locomotives, because they actually want the weight to help tractive effort.

True, but the acceleration at 35k is impressive. It’s odd that this test wasn’t at 80k.

Definitely agree that there’s more to the story, and half the time, the initial reports are wrong anyways, so it wouldn’t surprise me if the circumstances were completely different. Certainly all the things you mention are possible.

Nah, when a single fails, you have time, as long as you have some altitude underneath you.

I forgot that, yeah. If the initial reports are right (they might not be) then landing on the belly was a way better choice than going around.

COTD

I’m very sorry to hear that. Yes, the Skymaster doesn’t have a Vmc problem, but the lack of horsepower on one engine is still there - the early Skymasters were notorious for terrible single engine performance actually.

No, not really. Single engine go arounds in light twins are a recipe for disaster.

A single-engine go around in a light twin? Ugh - that’s a really, really sketchy proposition.

Yeah that’s how I read that, too. A-holes. I hope we’re wrong.

Yeah, I’ve heard that 35kts isn’t even close...

DEN definitely does- 1600o’. But SLCs longest runway is only 500' longer than PHXs (12000 v 11500).

Generally altitude has a bigger impact on max takeoff weight than temperature does. But when you combine the two, it gets really ugly.

THIS is the real issue.

I yelled aloud at Hillier- and I am not one to yell at the tv. Especially watching a tape delay. Couldn’t help it.

Watched this last night on Velocity without knowing it was coming.

I want to not like it, but I’ve seen it in person and I think it’s stunning, especially in that red color. Long, low, and sleek—