I know we have the A380 but do you think there is a market for more large passenger craft like that one? Can they go bigger or is there a point there it is not practical both financially and from a design / safety point?
Given the current market that has all Airline Carriers wanting 2x Engines for maintenance cost efficiency over 4x Engines; you'd literally have to design around that point.
2x
GE9X engines could potentially power such a plane.
Add in a
STARC ABL aft mounted Turbo Electric Fan for that extra efficiency / thrust
STARC ABL is exciting in that it can do this:
To power the fan, the 737-like aircraft has two slightly smaller underwing engines that not only provide thrust, but also about 3 megawatts of electricity for the BLI engine as well as the other flight subsystems. The BLI provides 20 percent of takeoff power and 45 percent of cruising power. Despite its weight and the need for the other two engines to power it, NASA says the BLI may improve fuel efficiency by 10 percent.
10% improvement in fuel efficiency is a BIG deal in the Aviation world.
And having a smaller 3rd Propulsor mounted on the tail could increase safety margins incase one of the main engines fail.
For a A380 rival, it would definitely have to be a modified 747X where the upper hump is fully stretched back.
With the STARC ABL Electric Motor Propulsor on the aft of the fuselage, you'd need a T-tail instead of the traditional tail setup. Personally, I want a
3LS (Lifting Surfaces) configuration to maximize fuel efficiency. Add in a set of Canards or frontal stub wings right behind the cockpit area to help alleviate the weight imbalance when in flight and be more fuel efficient.
The Top Deck would need to be single Aisle with 3-3 seating configuration
The Bottom Deck would need to be Double Aisle with 3-5-3 seating configuration
I estimate a Total Maximum capacity of 805 Passengers in pure Economy configuration.
