But it will be able to do things no present type aircraft can accomplish. Helicopters whirl their blades in utter frustration at altitudes where the air gets thin. Beyond 20,000 feet, they get almost no lift. Page 3 Unlimited size. The bigger it gets the better it flies.
Efficiency increases with grid area.
Distributing airflow around the grid edge becomes proportionately less important in larger craft. No practical speed limit has been determined. The ions themselves flash from emitter to grid impart to the very high- velocity impulse. Aerodynamic drag would be the chief speed-limiting factor. But, streamlining of the grid edge and careful contouring of the craft, could minimize air drag.