Are Electric Planes Possible?

Why HN readers recommended it

HN recommends it as a clear explanation of why batteries limit electric aviation.

This is a summary from the source dataset, not an endorsement by Hacker News or the video creator.

Video & recommendation details

Creator / channel

Real Engineering

Topic

electric aviation

Format

explainer

Level

general

HN recommenders in dataset

4

HN mentions in dataset

6

Recommendation years in dataset

2018–2024

These counts and years describe the included Hacker News records; they are not YouTube views or the video’s publication date.

From the original HN conversations

Excerpts from the recorded comments. Follow each source for the full comment and surrounding discussion.

• Yes, and the physics of it are even worse than you imagine. If you don't mind a voice/video explanation of this, I found this one worked for people I know [0]. In the air, there is a cascading relationship between the requirements for lift, and …

• The big win would obviously be electric aircraft, but I doubt we'll see that in my lifetime (barring a massive breakthrough in battery technology). The problem is even the best batteries have a much lower energy density compared with traditional fuels. Also, a battery that …

• IIRC real-engineering on youtube did a detailed analysis of the current operating limitations with electric planes: [VIDEO] He also identified a couple of sweet spots where electric flight would make sense factoring in engine efficiency & cost of fuel etc. bottom line is that the …