Airplane Design Makes Too Much Sense, Government Passes [Video]

Besides the long lines at security what is the biggest pain in the butt about flying? I would say for most of us, it is getting from the runway, through the terminal, then to baggage claim, then to our ground transportation. What if we could eliminate all those steps just by changing the design of the aircraft.

What if I told you there was a workable design that is over 50 years old? This is a video of the Fairchild XC-120 Packplane. Basically it is a detachable bus with wings. The bus or pod attaches to the airframe and wings. The pilot then flies the entire assembly to its final destination. The bus or pod detaches and drives on to its final ground destination. Imagine not having to wait for a baggage crew to pick up your bags, put them on the belt and the like.

You could unload your own stuff out in front of your hotel! The government has had this design in its archives for decades, I guess it made too much sense so they passed on the project. Go Figure!