From Runway to Railroad: 'Flying Trains' with Detachable Wings Could Soon Let Planes Drop Passengers Off at Local Stations
By Cheyenne Macdonald, The Daily Mail | Jul. 11, 2018
A radical new 'flying train' concept could revolutionize the way we approach air travel.
Akka Technologies has unveiled its 'Link & Fly' aircraft design, envisioning a modular craft that relies on a passenger pod and detachable wings to speed up the boarding process, and make it easier than ever to get to and from the airport.
A stunning concept video shows how such a system could work, with the option to carry either travelers or freight, and transform into a train car that makes drop-offs at local stations.
Akka was awarded best-film in the Product Marketing category at the Aerospace Festival Etoiles last fall for its remarkable Link & Fly simulation.
Now, the firm is hoping the concept will catch the eye of aerospace companies who could integrate some of the technologies in future models, according to Bloomberg.
The concept video shows how the passenger/freight pod could be boarded independently from the wings, before being rolled out onto the tarmac to click the whole system together.
The pod would attach beneath the wings, which sit waiting with the engines on top.
It uses automatic alignment so everything fits together smoothly.