Aerocart cargo gliders

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Safety and Operational Risks

  • Many commenters see the basic tow‑glider linkage as inherently hazardous, citing existing glider tow accidents where a mispositioned glider can overpower the tow plane’s control authority and even cause it to crash.
  • Landing “in tow” is widely viewed as especially dangerous: different flight characteristics, crosswinds, runway overruns, emergency braking, go‑arounds, and runway blockages all create complex, tightly coupled failure modes.
  • Concerns extend to aborted takeoffs, TCAS‑mandated rapid climb/descent, rejected landings, and taxiing with a long tether on busy airfields.
  • Suggestions like automatic tow‑release based on measured forces are challenged as non‑trivial: forces vary constantly, reaction must be in milliseconds, and both false positives and negatives could be catastrophic.
  • Even unmanned gliders are seen as serious hazards if they fall on people, buildings, or power lines.

Integration with Airports, ATC, and Regulations

  • Several argue this cannot work safely at normal commercial airports; specialized cargo airfields and purpose‑built tow aircraft might be required.
  • Questions are raised about how ATC would treat the pair (separate ADS‑B signal? single “target”?), and how missed approaches or staggered landings would be handled operationally.

Performance, Physics, and the “65%” Claim

  • The claim that takeoff/climb performance is “similar” to the tow plane alone is widely doubted as contradicting basic physics and glider experience.
  • Some note the company’s current demos use powered aircraft as “gliders” (engines on for takeoff, off in cruise), which sidesteps the pure‑glider takeoff issue.
  • The advertised 65% fuel saving is seen as unclear; commenters want a rigorous safety and performance case, not marketing language.

Alternative Concepts and Comparisons

  • Autonomous formation flying (Airbus fello’fly–style) is seen as safer: each aircraft powered and independent, using wake benefits without a physical tether.
  • Historical military gliders (e.g., WWII Waco) show towing is feasible but for very different, one‑way missions—not obviously economical or safe for routine cargo.
  • Many argue that for most freight, trains and ships remain far cheaper and higher‑volume, limiting realistic use cases to narrow niches.