Quote:
Originally Posted by jchang10
It seems like the -8's are the winners in "total" performance (ie. speed combined with efficiency). I wonder what an -8 with -9 or -10 wings would be like. Anyone else curious? 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NovaBandit
Not if the performance number you're looking at is "passenger mile per gallon"!
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Aww! That pesky word: Efficiency!
Each of us thinks we KNOW what the word means. And we indeed do. That is, we know what it means in terms of what our internal thoughts are concerning efficiency. However, we tend to think of it in specific terms only as it relates to what WE envision it to mean. If we think of speed as efficient, that is what we concentrate on. If we think of energy expenditure, well we think of that. Neither is completely appropriate to use without the other in the equation. Those are just two components. In most instances, there are many other variables that need defining in order to understand what constitutes efficiency. In order to fully discuss the term, all of them have to be defined.
To really comprehend efficiency for any given analysis the
thing(s) being measured for efficiency have to be defined up front. Such is the result of the above contributions to this conversation. The term has different meanings for different people.
What makes an
efficient Reno racer is most certainly going to be very different to what makes an
efficient cross country glider.