Aero VS NFT Question on "Earl Design"

I'm firmiliar with the popular "Earl Design" for hydroponics. I figure it's a combination of a NFT and an Aero technique. One pump delivers water into one end of the pipe (NFT), while another provides water for the sprayers overtop of the roots (Aero).

I was wondering how well the system would work if the Aero component was removed completely. It would look like one of Earl's shuttle grows without any sprayers.

Some of Earl's Threads for Reference:
https://www.rollitup.org/hydroponics-aeroponics/38569-aeroponic-space-shuttle.html
https://www.rollitup.org/hydroponics-aeroponics/147239-4-inch-tube-aero-chiller.html

Here's some specifics of my design:

1. The plants would be cloned and partly vegged in a seperate aero system to make the roots long before using the main frow system.
2. The plants would not grow nearly as big as Earl's. Less than 2 sq.ft per plant (1.4 x 1.4).
3. Pipe would probably be larger than 4" in diameter and be 5 to 6 ft long.
4. The flow would not be continuous. A few minuties on and a few off.

Can I make due without the Aero? Will growth be affected? Will there be enough disolved oxygen to keep thriving plants?

Thank you for your input.

EDIT: Also, this is my first post. I look foreword to becoming a serious player on this forum.

without the aero it would just be a nft system. mixing aero and nft does sound like a redundant idea though.....

andrewcovetsall said:

without the aero it would just be a nft system. mixing aero and nft does sound like a redundant idea though.....

Click to expand...

That's my idea, exactly.

If there was enough oxygen in the water from waterfalls and airstones, a solo NFT technique should work just as well as "Earl's Design".