Is it possible for a passenger Jet to deploy some type of balloon that would allow it to glide down in case

Question

of total power loss. If the laws of physics are correct they can do this right? I've seen the U.S Army drop very heavy equipment and supplies with balloons. Of course this type of device would prevent total passenger deaths when a plane goes down.

Answer 1

This has been done on small jets - like corperate jets.  I would guess the scale of a larger jet would be the problem.

Also, I think most large jet crashes are collisions or explosions.

Answer 2

In the case of total power loss in jets, they can glide for long distances with no power at all.

In order to power hydraulics, radios, and flaps in such an emergency, passenger jets are equipped with a deployable fan they call a "ram air turbine" (pilots affectionately refer to this device as "the pinwheel"). It is manually popped out from below the jet, and the moving air spins the turbine and generates a limited amount of electricity.  Landing gear is deployed via a technique called a "gravity drop".

This very problem struck a Boeing 767 Air Canada jet in 1983 as it flew from Montreal to Edmonton.  The jet lost both engines due to fuel exhaustion at an altitude of 28,000 feet.  By deploying the ram air turbine, the crew was able to glide the jet to a safe landing in Gimli, Manitoba, 50 nautical miles from where they lost power.  Result: 0 deaths, 10 injuries (all minor).

Answer 3

the thing is that these jets are extremely heavy and you would need a very very large ballon. it would also require a larger than average jet to be able to deploy the balloon. the idea may work but might need tweaking.

Answer 4

The atmospheric pressure at 40,000feet is very less and we can not expose people to that oxygen less and low temperature. First plane has to be dropped to safe low altitude before doing an operation like that.That is possible only if the controls of aeroplane is working perfectly. More over the baloon dropped objects dont have a smooth landing,.Peopole may get kiulled by the impact.

A safe system can be designed to the job but it will be very costly and unecconomical.

Answer 5

Actually you can get a parachute system (not a balloon) for small planes now. Parachutes are lighter and smaller than balloons, which have the problem of what do you inflate it with.

And the army uses parachutes not balloons.

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Answer 6

Balloons, no, parachute, yes. The problem with deployment of a parachute is how to control the attitude of the aircraft. Another point is stall speed, how do you get the aircraft to slow down enough so that the parachute doesn't get ripped apart when deployed? It sounds like a good idea, it's just the doing it, and all of the laws that would hamper such a system. In addition, who would want to fly on a plane that has a parachute? While I would, most people would not because of a fear of it needing to be used.

Answer 7

Not while gliding at 400 miles per hour.

Even with a cushion, the impact would be too much of a shock.