Video transcript
Airplane design has come a long way since its invention by the Wright brothers more than a century ago. In the near future, the commercial airplane might be remodeled to solve current shortcomings while improving technology and "going green" if a Spanish designer's futuristic plans are implemented.
Barcelona-based Oscar Vinals has designed an impressive Airbus 380-900 plane that resembles a huge, robotic whale, which is why it's called the "Sky Whale." About 263 feet long and with a wingspan of 288 feet, the Sky Whale has 3 floors seating 755 passengers.
The bottom economy-class floor offers standard views; the middle business-class floor offers some sky views; and the top first-class floor offers greater sky views and "all conceivable luxuries."
The state-of-the-art ceramic or fibre composite aircraft boasts self-repairing wings; tilting engines that can take off from one spot or land on small runways; and the ability to separate its parts from the passenger area to potentially save lives if the plane crashes. Besides being safer, passengers can enjoy entertainment with features like virtual reality windows.
The proposed technology results in environmental benefits such as decreasing drag, fuel consumption, noise, toxic emissions, and excess weight. It also features more efficient wings with solar panels.
How do you like the idea of flying a sky whale?
Video credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beLUm4sDZZ8
L2: Now that you have watched the video, try to answer these questions:
1) Why might the commercial airplane be remodeled?
2) Where is the designer of a new airplane concept based?
3) What is the name of the new concept and where does it come from?
4) What are the dimensions of this upcoming plane?
5) What is the difference between the floors of this plane?
6) What are the advantages of the proposed design and technology?
7) How do you like this concept?
L3: Research proposed concepts for new aircraft; prepare a short talk/presentation on the design you like best. Use the words and phrases introduced in this manual.
Grammar Revision
G1: Use the right form of the words in the box to fill the gaps. Watch the video again and check your answers.
to repair; to base; to be; to improve; to seat; to tilt |
1) The commercial airplane might be remodeled to solve current shortcomings while ... technology.
2) Barcelona-... Oscar Vinals has designed an impressive Airbus 380-900 plane.
3) The Sky Whale has 3 floors ... 755 passengers.
4) The state-of-the-art aircraft boasts self-... wings and ... engines.
5) Besides ... safer, passengers can enjoy entertainment.
GII: Rewrite these sentences using various participle phrases.
Example: The force that moves a plane upwards is called the lift force. = The force moving a plane upwards is called the lift force.
1) Barcelona-based Oscar Vinals has designed a plane that resembles a robotic whale.
2) Airplane design has come a long way since the Wright brothers invented it more than a century ago.
3) The plane has the ability to separate its parts from the passenger area, so lives can potentially be saved if the plane crashes.