Technology Quarterly

The future of flight

Aviation

Technology Quarterly -

Aviation

Despite setbacks, aviation is changing fast

It must continue to balance conservatism and innovation, writes Geoffrey Carr

Manufacturing

Aircraft construction is being transformed

Boeing and Airbus need to speed up production to meet demand

Propulsion systems

Smaller planes could soon use electric propulsion

Turbofans for larger craft are improving rapidly, too

Avionics

Pilotless planes are on the way

The armed forces are keen, the flying public less so

Aviation and the environment

Using aviation biofuel continues to be difficult

Emissions from flying are comparatively low, but growing

Faster than sound

Supersonic aeroplanes could make a comeback

Three American companies are developing them

Urban air mobility

Flying cars are almost here, but they don’t look like cars

The first ones available are most likely to run as taxis

Previous report

A whole new world

Synthetic biology

Technology Quarterly -