Strange Looking Aircraft
Stipa Caproni Maiden Flight
Intubated Propellert
Stipa Caproni Technology Ahead of its Time
Stipa Caproni Take Off
Source: https://www.fastaviationdata.com/stipa-caproni-the-flying-barrel/
Strange Looking AircraftLuigi Stipa, an aeronautical engineer, filled his lifetime dream when he petitioned the Italian Fascist government in the 1930’s to produce a prototype experimental aircraft in which the government approved and contracted the Caproni Company to construct the aircraft. After a lot of brainstorming Luigi Stipa and Gianni Caproni came up with one of the smallest and strangest looking aircraft in the world and decided to call it “Stipa-Caproni”. The name derived by using the surname of the engineer (Stipa) and the name of the manufacturer (Caproni). Stipa Caproni Maiden FlightOctober 7, 1932, Caproni company pilot, Domenico Antonini took the Stipa Caproni that was built to fly at a maximum speed of 131km/h on its first test flight. The hollow mid-wing monoplane of mostly wooden construction looked every bit like a flying barrel with the wings jutting out from the sides of the barrel. The aircraft had low, fixed, spatted main landing gear and a tailwheel, making it look as if it was squatting when on the ground. The Stipa Caproni was powered by a 120-horsepower de Havilland Gipsy III mounted within the duct behind it, at the midpoint of the fuselage. Intubated PropellertThe fuselage on the aircraft was shaped like a barrel, in order to store both the propellers; As well as the engine inside the fuselage. The idea of this design was to mount both the propeller and the engine inside the fuselage and use it as a ducted fan. Stipa called the fuselage design an “intubated propeller.” The design of the Stipa-Caproni was very similar to that of modern jet engines. Modern turbofan engine is thought by some aviation historians to be a descendant of the “intubed propeller” demonstrated in the Stipa-Caproni. Stipa Caproni Technology Ahead of its TimeAlthough the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Royal Air Force) was not interested in pursuing development of the Stipa Caproni, a number of ideas that were used to build the Stipa-Caproni have been applied in newer technology; its design was an important step for aerospace scholars in the development of jet propulsion. Stipa Caproni Take OffAuthor: Fast Aviation Data
Source: https://www.fastaviationdata.com/stipa-caproni-the-flying-barrel/
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B-29 SuperfortressThe B-29 Superfortress manufactured by Boeing was a highly-sophisticated propeller-driven bomber aircraft built to deliver a range of aerial weapons mines, incendiary bombs, conventional bombs and nuclear weapons. The B-29 used in WW II was the 1st bomber to be able to house the crew in pressurized compartments. This four engine heavy bomber with a semi-monocoque fuselage & very high-aspect ratio wings was guided by a young Dutch cadet (Theodore Van Dirk) on its mission to drop the 1st atomic bomb on Hiroshima in Aug. 6, 1945. The B-29 Superfortress was finished with a polished aluminum and sported the standard late-WWII Army Air Force insignia on its wings and the aft fuselage. It had the serial number on the vertical fin and “Enola Gay” in block, black letters on its lower left nose. Bockscar–B-29-45-MOOn 6 August 1945, the B-29-45-MO built at the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Plant at Omaha, Nebraska dropped the 1st atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Three days after the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, three B29 aircraft by the names of Bockscar, Enola Gay and the Great Artiste flew on a mission to drop the 2nd atomic bomb on another Japanese city called Nagasaki. The Enola Gay flew as an advance weather reconnaissance aircraft. The Great Artiste, flew as the observation aircraft on both missions, and the Bockscar dropped the bomb on Nagasaki, The Bockscar is on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force. Boeing B-29 Superfortress, covering controls, take off and general flyingAuthor: Fast Aviation Data
Source: https://www.fastaviationdata.com/the-enola-gay-superfortress-story/ Lakemaid Beer Commercials DisapprovedRecently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) moved into action to put an end to a futuristic beer run after Lakemaid, the Minnesota brewery published a video on YouTube that showed the company delivering beer cases to ice fisherman Drone Commercials needs FAA ApprovalEven though the rules that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has with regards to use of drones might not be legally binding, FAA states that the use of Drones for any commercial purposes is against the rule and needs to be approved by the FAA to get clearance and in most cases it is near impossible to get the approval to use drones for commercial activities. Raphael Pirker Fined 10,000 USDIn effect, what this means is that theoretically, Lakemaid as well as numerous other companies that are looking to use UAV’s or dronesfor their business operations might just be able to do so. Well, at least this is what Brendan Schulman, an attorney based in Washington DC says. Schulman is representing a Swiss videographer Raphael Pirker, who is also an avid drone enthusiast. In 2011, Piker had been fined $10,000 by the Federal Aviation Association for shooting a video using a camera-packing-drone, for the University of Virginia. Commercial Drones in the market for businessesCommercial drones are available at hobby shops and online, and are being used for delivering flowers and other products as well as for making movie scenes, capturing sports events, taking real estate pictures from the air and for many other purposes depending on the buyer’s requirements. Police departments and Universities that are using drones for safety and educational purposes are able to get the required certificates. The first commercial drone flight in US-controlled airspace has been carried out by ConocoPhillips, the oil and gas group, in the remote Arctic waters off the north coast of Alaska. Commercial drones ClearanceIf you are thinking of buying a commercial drone to use for your business activities beware as the existing FAA rules state that any company that wishes to use drones for any commercial purposes are required to get a “Certificate of Authorization”. It is estimated that more than 400,000 people have registered with the FAA to fly drones, so I guess that it can take many years to get approvals. Legislating UAV/Drone Laws in the USAIt might sound like an injustice to many but when you think about it, UAV are fairly new and booming in the market and if there were no rules in place the skies would be crawling with drones and that would be a danger to the public. I am sure that with due time the FAA will be able to legislate UAV/drone laws that will benefit all those who wants to use drones for commercial purpose or as a hobby or any other purpose. So I guess we all need to be patients. As they say time is money and “Patience is Virtue”. Register Your Drone on the FAA WebsiteAuthor: Fast Aviation Data
Source: https://www.fastaviationdata.com/beer-delivery-drone-add-censured-by-faa/ Fascinating High Tech Travel OptionThe new aerospace technology in the aviation industry is manifesting itself at an awesome pace. Not far into the future you will be able to whiz to work in your unmanned flying jet guided by a GPS System, most houses will have small landing strips on the roofs to park these jets. You will be able to fly to any part of the planet within the hour and take outer space trips. This is not just a fantasy or a far-fetched idea. Many large tech conglomerates startups and individual entrepreneurs have been working hard at their design boards and creating futuristic aircraft that look fascinating with high tech travel options never seen before. Amazing AircraftHere are some of the absolute futuristic aircraft that are worth a mention. Though some of them are not more than design concepts, some have already been tested and are set for production. The Airbus Transparent Plane is scheduled for a 2050 completion. As its name suggests, it’s entirely transparent and the concept is exhilarating- almost like skydiving as you travel. A biometric scanner permits you entry through the transparent door and the seat auto-morphs and conforms to the shape of your body. The Flying Saucer from Green Airways is the epitome of science fiction. Delft University of Technology’s Etnel Straatsma is in constant research and experimentation mode to build an eco-friendly aircraft that will bring down carbon emissions by 50 percent. The Skylon is another example in time and this one is all set to hit the manufacturing line. It’s a surface to orbit plane with a life of more than 200 launches. Almost 90% of funding for the design of this aircraft has come from private corporations who believe in the potential of future travel. The Excitement of the FutureThe lists of futuristic aircraft on the drawing boards are endless. Brilliant Tech minds from around the world are conceptualizing futuristic aircraft that will make travelling more fun and exciting. Here are some of the latest aviation technology concepts. Lockheed Martin SkyTug Hybrid AirshipQUEIA 2058 Concept CraftDARPA Disc Rotor HelicopterDARPA VTOL X Plane“This decade will definitely see some of these fascinating aircraft hit the skies”. DARPA / Boeing DiscRotorAuthor: Fast Aviation Data
Source: https://www.fastaviationdata.com/the-allure-of-future-air-travel/ American Airlines Flight 191 CrashThe American Airlines Flight 191 crash on May 25, 1979, near O’Hare International Airport claimed 273 lives. It is the worst aviation accident on American soil. American Airlines DC-10 was heading to LA when the crash took place at the start of the Memorial Day weekend. As the DC-10 aircraft was flying over the O’Hare International Airport on May 25, 1979, its left engine and Pylon assembly just fell off and the DC -10 rolled over in mid-air and then plunged straight down to the ground a mile from the main runway. According to the news report in the Tribune newspaper, this aircraft “burst into a massive pillar of flame & smoke that could be seen up to 8 miles away”. The explosion was heard in all the surrounding areas and a rain of fire hit some spots. All the 270 people on board and 2 people on the ground were killed. Worst Aviation disaster in the US historyUS Officials say that the American Airlines Flight 191 Crash in 1979 is one of the worst aviation disaster in U.S. history, the death toll would have been higher, but fortunately, the plane missed crash- landing into a trailer park just north of the airport. In the probe that followed the Flight 191 disaster, the NTSB found that the mechanics in Tulsa had actually taken a shortcut in removing engines from the DC-10 aircraft wing pylons during maintenance, 2 months prior to the crash. A crack formed in the pylon and in due course, the wear & tear widened the crack until it broke and the crashed. Author: Fast Aviation Data
Source: https://www.fastaviationdata.com/what-caused-the-american-airlines-flight-191-crash-in-1979/ What? An airplane with no windows?That may seem like a ridiculous notion but believe it or not, that’s what in store for commercial airlines over the next few years. Window seat or Aisle seat:Air travelers can generally be divided into two categories 1. Those who fight for the window seat. 2. And those who prefer to get a seat as far away from the window as possible. Depending on which category you fall under, you are going to either love or hate the news that future airplanes may do away with windows altogether The Benefits of a Windowless Aircraft?Windows are heavy and they reduce an aircraft overall fuel efficiency. Simply replacing the windows with OLED screens helps to reduce the weight of the aircraft dramatically. These screens are lighter, thinner and more flexible as compared to conventional aircraft windows. The idea is to reduce weight by replacing all windows with a lighter alternative fuel efficient material called the OLED screens. The less fuel it consumes means lower carbon dioxide emissions and a reduction in operating costs. This means they will be able to build larger planes, weighting less than the current conventional aircraft thus creating more space for the comfort of the passengers. Let’s hope they don’t saturate it with seats, nevertheless the overall benefits are tremendous and almost make you wonder why nobody thought of this idea earlier. What Does It Mean To The Air Traveler?The cabin windows are being replaced by OLED screens that will line the interior walls completely. The OLED screens will allow the passengers to be able to see much more of the sky than they could have ever imagined. Passengers will be able to see the sky around them through images that are captured by cameras positioned on the exterior of the plane. Air travel enthusiasts are thrilled at the idea and just can’t wait to experience the thrill, but some nervous air travelers have their reservations about the additional exposure. But it won’t be as bad as it seems for the billions of altophobias in this world as the new google glass coming soon will help you find your comfort in another zone. “But that’s another story”. Aerospace Windowless Aircraft – The Future Inspired by CPIAuthor: Fast Aviation Data
Source: https://www.fastaviationdata.com/windowless-planes-coming-soon/ Crossing the TransatlanticIn the early 1900’s the aviation industry was experimenting with a lot of different concepts. Heavily loaded planes had been causing serious problems during take-off, especially on long range flights when flying at extremely high speeds. In order to fix this problem, Major Robert Mayo of England came up with an ingenious solution. He designed a new airplane that was simple and effective. A piggy-back arrangement comprising the Short S.21 Maia (bottom) and S.20 Mercury (top) flying boats, designed for long-distance transatlantic flights. The larger airplane could carry the smaller one to an altitude of about 10,000ft before it was launched. The larger plane was named “Mayo Composite” after its inventor Robert Mayo. Engine PowerTo ensure that the smaller plane was attached firmly to the larger one, a special strut was fitted onto it. The four extremely powerful engines of the large Mayo Composite Aircraft ensured that the smaller plane could reach the high altitudes that it was meant to safely and securely. The two aircrafts were to be separated in mid-air and to prevent the smaller airplane from pre-launching, its controls were locked. Speed MailThe Mayo Composite Aircraft could take-off from water with minimum speed. The larger plane helped the smaller plane during takeoff and allowed the smaller aircraft to make a non-stop journey from Southampton in Britain, to New York. The smaller plane could cruise at a range of 3,800 miles at 180mph and it could be loaded to its maximum of 20,500 pounds including mail, cargo and fuel. Modern mechanic issued a cover of the flight trails of the aircraft being conducted and illustrated the aerial landing the way it would appear to the spectators. Though this is common place today, it was a significant invention back in 1938 when the aviation industry was still very young. The Short Mayo CompositeAuthor: Fast Aviation Data
Source: https://www.fastaviationdata.com/the-piggyback-mayo-mail-plane/ Unmanned HelicopterIn difficult-to-reach war zones, it can be almost impossible to get any supplies to the ground soldiers or even conduct a rescue missions without coming under enemy fire or landing in dangerous minefields. Spurred by all these logistical issues, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) is now pushing to develop an unmanned helicopter drone to be used for airborne reconnaissance missions, supply runs and casualty evacuations. Machines of the futureThe futuristic machines will be equipped with power system, digital flight-controls, remote control, command interfaces and will carry up to 1,360 kg (3,000 lb). The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or DARPA, believe its troops will soon be able to control these giant unmanned helicopter with their mobile apps via tablets or smartphones. DARPA’s Ares- Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System programs are now in the third phase with the lead designer for this project Lockheed Martin Skunk in charge of integrating the system programs Challenging jobGetting supplies to the soldiers manning the front line can be a massive challenge. As per the Department of Defense, combat outposts require around 100,000 pounds of material on a weekly basis. If the soldiers are positioned at very high altitudes or are deep in the jungle, it is just not possible to truck-in supplies. Helicopters are able to do the job; however, the demand for these drop-offs generally exceeds the availability of helicopters. Most missions need dedicated vertical landing and take-off assets, however most of the ground units do not have helicopters of their own and these drones will solve that problem, says the project program manager Ashish Bagai, of the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency ( DARPA). Author: Fast Aviation Data
Source: https://www.fastaviationdata.com/unmanned-military-helicopter-delivery-drones/ Qantas Taking ActionDid you ever think you could board a plane and sleep all the way through till you landed? Most frequent fliers would say this is such a welcome idea but would find it hard to believe. Almost all frequent business travelers complain about airplane seats being so uncomfortable they usually end up arriving at their destination tired and sleep-deprived. For a long time, all airlines just ignored these complaints, but one airline has finally decided to surprise their frequent business fliers. Qantas Airways has proposed installing a new kind of airplane seat and it looks like the business traveler who spends hours on planes might finally have some relief! The Reclining SeatQantas Airways,the Australian airline company has now come up with a business class seat that allows business travelers to recline from the moment they board till the time they land. All they are waiting for is for the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority to grant them the approvals and they are all set to introduce it on their flights. The seat design was done by Thompson Aero Seating and it comes with a seatbelt very similar to seat belts used in cars. An over-the-shoulder seatbelt is far more secure especially if the plane were to suddenly change its speed and it allows travelers to recline their seats to a 25° angle from the horizontal position even when the plane takes off and lands. Available by the end of 2014Qantas hopes to have the new seats introduced by the end of the year and is hoping that a year on, the seats will be available on all its flights. The cost of manufacturing these special seats could cost about ten times as much the cost of manufacturing an economy seat, which means business travelers who want to avail of this facility can expect to pay a lot more too. But even at that escalated cost, frequent business travelers might think it worthwhile if it allows them to catch up on some precious sleep on the flight. Qantas unveils new business class seats that allow passengers to fully recline and sleep during TAKAuthor: Fast Aviation Data
Source: https://www.fastaviationdata.com/the-sleep-all-the-way-airplane-seat/ This year, 35 test pilots will start flying with the top-of-the-line, 3rd-generation of Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS). This helmet is a modified version of the previous generation display system. The Pentagon had identified the latter as an F-35 program risk. Subsequently, the fighter program developed the fixes and the new Gen-3 helmet assured the F-35 Joint Program Office of the Pentagon to discontinue funding another program that was also developing a helmet mounted display. In the year 2011, the DoD had identified the Helmet Mounted Display System as one of numerous F-35 program risks. A Joint Venture EffortIt discovered that the Gen-2 system that was being developed via the joint venture between Elbit Systems of America and Rockwell Collins was actually deficient in the areas of display jitter during aircraft -buffeting, night-vision acuity as well as image latency from a fighter’s electro-optical-distributed aperture system. At that point of time, this product was dubbed the Vision Systems International. In 2011 Sept, Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the F-35 awarded BAE Systems the contract via which they would develop a new HMDS which would have detachable night-vision goggles (NVGs) in case Vision Systems International failed to resolve the issues with the existing helmet-mounted display. The Right FixIn 2013, after having tested the display system fixes over a period of 2 years, the Joint Program Office eventually garnered sufficient amount of confidence in the latest Gen-3 Helmet Mounted Display System to discontinue the parallel display effort that was being carried out by BAE. The Gen 2 HMDS’ night-vision acuity contains Intevac silicon imaging engine and 10-sensor for low light-level detection. It was discovered that this was the major deficiency in the helmet. Now, the helmet has an ISIE 11-sensor that is based on the patented electron-bombarded activated pixel sensor technology that is patented by Intevac Photonics. It now takes the night-vision acuity of the system closer to the 20:20 vision that night-vision goggles should be capable of providing. Author: Fast Aviation Data
Source: https://www.fastaviationdata.com/pilots-helmets-getting-smarter/ |
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