A slow plane is vastly quicker than any ground based transport so speed is not absolutely vital, 300 mph is not breaking the sound barrier but it is 100 times quicker than being stuck in a traffic jam.
I think the shape looks right rather than odd, in particular the bulbous rather than elongated body. Plus with the straight wings this looks well optimised for low skin friction.
Experience of VW rear engined vehicles tells me there are advantages in having the engine at the back when it comes to noise. I thought the reasons we had the propeller at the front was to have it cool the engine and have the centre of gravity 'right'. This just looks right compared to what has gone on before.
Looking right is not necessarily what you want, we have been stuck too long on what a fast plane should look like. But there is something in aesthetics when it comes to these matters.
Seeing the runway is not necessarily that important, I would prefer a plane that does all the landing itself with no assistance needed. It is not as if a regular jet pilot can see the wheels of the plane when landing.
I think the shape looks right rather than odd, in particular the bulbous rather than elongated body. Plus with the straight wings this looks well optimised for low skin friction.
Experience of VW rear engined vehicles tells me there are advantages in having the engine at the back when it comes to noise. I thought the reasons we had the propeller at the front was to have it cool the engine and have the centre of gravity 'right'. This just looks right compared to what has gone on before.
Looking right is not necessarily what you want, we have been stuck too long on what a fast plane should look like. But there is something in aesthetics when it comes to these matters.
Seeing the runway is not necessarily that important, I would prefer a plane that does all the landing itself with no assistance needed. It is not as if a regular jet pilot can see the wheels of the plane when landing.