(click pic to enlarge) The Burt Rutan designed and built Boomerang at Oshkosh 2011
After all the excitement we had seeing Burt Rutan's old mid 90's era Boomerang (the wild and super asymmetrical twin) at Oshkosh this summer, I was recently stunned to find a kit for the airplane is now available... and it's only $3.95! Ok, true, the Boomerang homebuilt you would construct from this kit is scaled down some (a lot), it's built from a revolutionary new material (it's paper), and it's performance in the air is not up to Burt's original (it doesn't fly at all) - but hey, it's only $3.95!
Seriously tho, this paper Boomerang model, available from EcardModels.com, is really very impressive. At 1:29 scale, it looks like that'll work out to a little over a 15" wingspan - certainly big enough to look pretty fantastic sitting on a shelf. A couple weeks ago I bought and downloaded the six page pdf 'kit', and I figure it'll make a great weekend project once the snow starts to fly. I've never built a paper model before, but after checking out the EcardModels website, I'm really impressed with what can be done in paper. The Boomerang is a difficulty level of 3/5 - I may be in over my head for a first project! There's a wide range of aircraft to check out, in a range of difficulty, and pictures of most all of them completed for you to see.
I'll put a detailed post together later after my own Boomerang is built. But I'm hoping maybe some of y'all out there will build something cool in paper as well. If you do send some pix and I'll post 'em : )
The very awesome paper model of the Rutan Boomerang from EcardModels.com
This is a great Instructables video on the details of building up the powerpack and harness for a Paramotor. It comes from an Instructables account named Sky-Monkey, and in looking at his bio, I've got more in common than just an animal-in-the-air name... he's also plagued by almost too many interests to handle! One thing is sure, he's done an excellent job of putting together a 5 minute video and some step by step info showing the work that goes into building most everything except for the engine, prop and the parachute canopy.
Back in the day I made 110 skydives, and I was raised in a skydiving environment, so the idea of flying a parachute with an engine on your back has always interested me. However, I've never had the opportunity to pursue it like I probably should. This video gives me all the more reason to put Powered Para Gliding on my list! Oh, wait a minute... I see something shiny - I'll be right back : )
Instructables 'Sky-Monkey' and his excellent homebuilt Paramotor
Oh sure, at first glance this 16-motor (electric) multicopter aircraft from the German company e-volo is pretty cool looking with an actual human pilot onboard, but I have to say I think we are at an important crossroads with the future of flying machine design, and I think we're taking the wrong road. I could be wrong here, but the idea of using 100% thrust-vectoring to achieve flight is very high risk... in fact I'd say it's just too risky. And it's not just the thrust-vectoring element that concerns me, more on that in a minute.
Don't misunderstand, I think there's a lot of promise with what's been done here, I just don't think human beings with souls should be onboard. (Feel free to draw your own conclusions about whether humans without souls should be flying one of these!) The positive here is that we see a large-scale and very practical multicopter with a significant payload capacity, which means that the UAV applications for these kind of machines continues to widen. However, having just said that, the same risks that make this too risky in my mind for humans on board mostly still apply to having lots of these things flying unmanned overhead. So I guess I'm conflicted about the real practicality of the direction we're headed. And if I'm concerned about all this, can you imagine what the fine folks at the FAA are thinking?!
The primary things that really concern me are the reliance on electrical systems and computer control to keep us alive when we're off the ground... well, that and the lack of a wing of some sort that can still provide lift when all power has been lost. Now there's no doubt that aircraft like the General Dynamics F-16 ushered in a whole new era of electric and computer control back in the mid 1970's, and they've been very successful. But, much the same way that the Boeing 787 now relies very heavily on computer control, these kinds of aircraft have billions in research behind them, millions in production costs, and a vast amount of system redundancy.
Small general aviation flying machines don't have that luxury. And while I understand how reliable the transmitters, receivers and servos are with modern RC aircraft, the truth is that these systems do sometimes fail. And when you add the wild, ongoing dream (pushed by Popular Mechanics and Popular Science) that someday the average guy is gonna have some sort of flying machine, I turn and run the other way. Have you been paying attention to how ignorant, dumb and/or stupid the average guy is these days? I don't mean this to be a put down to the average guy on the street, but I sincerely hope we don't ever try to get these people into the pilot's seat of a flying machine. Maybe you weren't around in the 80's when ultralights began attracting massive numbers of non-pilots. I was, and I remember a lot of people died because they had very little idea what they were doing, but they had affordable and relatively easy access to a flying machine.
And then you've got that lack-of-a-wing issue. I'm a fan of BRS systems, and I'm glad that we have them available, but when you have an aircraft that HAS to go the route of a BRS when all power is lost, I think you've traveled down the wrong road. This is where I hit a hurdle with the Martin Jetpack as well. Would I fly one if given the opportunity? I think so. But that doesn't change my thought that I hope they don't become popular. I just think there's too much at risk overall.
There's no doubt that I don't have all the answers here, but I'm a really strong believer in making inexepensive aircraft as low tech as possible when it comes to the systems that simply have to work to keep you alive. You just can't beat the reliability of cables and pushrods to drive the control surfaces or other critical systems. I'll admit that I've dreamed many times about what simple fly-by-wire systems would do for making a homebuilt aircraft much easier to build, and for adding some slick programmability, but I keep coming back to the unacceptable risk of failure.
And flying without a wing, (fixed, rotary, inflated or whatever else) with 100% reliance on thrust-vectoring seems like a recipe for disaster to me. The public perception of aircraft safety is a really big issue going forward. I hope we're very careful about which road we take into the future.
Great looking homebuilt Wittman Tailwind for sale: just 18,500 at barnstormers.com
(click the pic to go to the barnstormers.com listing)
I've been a fan of the simple-to-build and rather speedy Wittman Tailwind for a really long time. In fact, I've got a set of plans for the modernized, extended wing tip W10 version just waiting for the day when I have lots of time and a little bit of money. It'll likely be a long wait. But wow, if I just had a small stack of cash ($18,500) I could buy this little cutie right here and be flying immediately! I'm amazed at what a little searching will turn up these days if you're looking for a great flying machine priced well under $20K... and this one sure seems to be a dandy.
While many Tailwinds have either a Lycoming O-320 (150hp) or a Continental O-300 (145hp), this one has a C-85 that's been modified to be more like an O-200 (100hp). While there are obvious trade offs when you don't have the extra ponies up front, this Tailwind most likely has remarkable speed and fuel efficiency. Plus, I think it's just a great looking airplane. What fun it would be to take this on a 1000 mile adventure : )
If you're looking to learn more about one of the most amazing little homebuilt aircraft ever designed, check out this Tailwind pilot report by Budd Davisson from many years back. It's just all the more evidence that Steve Wittman was an amazing master of the skies!
Clean and simple is what makes the Tailwind such a great flying machine
MythBusters even did an all-duct-tape version of the Belite! (aftershow video screenshot)
So, did you catch the MythBusters episode last Wednesday (or the re-runs since) that showed their Alaskan duct tape airplane re-creation? If you didn't, I've got good news. Here's 4 short videos (<13 min total) that give you most of the meat from the episode... plus the aftershow (last video) that covers several things not shown in the broadcast.
They did a pretty good job overall with this aviation myth, tho as usual, they were a little whacked on some things. Mostly I'm just glad it all worked out ok. I didn't doubt the airworthiness of the Super Cub in Alaska, or that the test aircraft would fly, but I was a little concerned about the MB crew doing the assembly on the cute little Belite (provided and flown in the first test by Belite owner James Wiebe), but they must have done ok.
It was especially cool that they then went all the way with the duct tape idea by replacing ALL of the dacron with duct tape in phase 2 of the show. It added some weight, but it worked just fine! You can see some of that part of the show by watching the aftershow - the last video below.
I put a post up almost 2 years a go on the Alaskan story from 2009 about a bear that ripped up a Super Cub... and how the pilot fixed it well enough to fly it back to home base with a boatload of of duct tape. And now, the MythBusters are doing their part to see if this story is confirmed, plausible or busted!
The video teaser shows the crew doing a great job of working up some advanced aerodynamic duct-tapelogy, but you'll have to watch the show on Wednesday, October 19, at 9 p.m. Eastern, 8 p.m. Central on the Discovery Channel to find out if it really works. I'm guessing it's gonna work just fine : )
This recently uploaded video from youtuber tomhuebbe is cool on many levels... beautiful aircraft, excellent video with great editing, and a really sweet smoke system on that tri-gear Sonex! The only way it could've been better was if it was a taildragger with a Y tail, a la Waiex.
(disclaimer: this statement reflects my own personal bias toward aircraft that have their landing gear configured in the old fashioned, out dated, difficult-to-fly, and obviously much more beautiful 'taildragger' arrangement. This opinion is my own and is not meant to belittle or in any way put down a pilot or builder who chooses the easy way out and drags his pitiful little nose. I also have an extreme fondness for aircraft with unique and exciting design components, and a Y shaped tail with a really small little rudder placed at the end of the fuselage wins out over a run-of-the-mill, uninspired, plane-jane standard tail any day. But again, I don't mean to snub anyone who chooses to tip toe down the middle of the road and selects a boring tail on their aircraft. It is still a free country... for now anyway : )
Screenshot from this awesome video of a smoke-system equipped Sonex
LiveAirshowTV is your best source for the inside scoop on what's happening at the 2011 Reno Air Races. Here's their video update from yesterday - great stuff!
I arrived at Stead Field in Reno before the sun came up this morning (Thursday) and I had a feeling that there'd be some good stuff to see as the sun was rising. As the pic above shows, Strega was out in the smooth morning air making some beautiful music. I assume it was just a test flight, but it sure made for a great way to see the start of my first day at Reno 2011.
The low-morning-sun lit the airplane up in a special way as it rolled out after landing.
(click pic to enlarge)
The first racers up in the morning a heat of biplanes and a heat of Formula One. It's a cool sight to see the teams push or pull their aircraft out of the hangars and down to the ramp. The golden morning sun makes this extra special in the mornings.
I'm sitting in the Denver airport on my way to the Reno Air Races so I figure this excellent EAA video on Reno Racing and the PRS (Pylon Racing School - held in June each year) is the perfect post for the day. It gives a really great idea of what it's like to be tearing up the desert race course at Stead Field in Reno, and puts faces and personalities on the pilots that have air racing in their blood.
I'm looking forward to seeing some serious Low, Left and FAST tomorrow - watch for updates each day!
Oh, since I can't seem to figure a way to present these EAA videos full width like I usually do, I highly recommend you watch it fullscreen... or is that fullscream? : )
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 07:51AM 
(click pic to enlarge) The Burt Rutan designed and built Boomerang at Oshkosh 2011
The very awesome paper model of the Rutan Boomerang from EcardModels.com
