Mar
8
New Zealand mechanic Rudy Heeman has just developed a two passenger hovercraft that has the ability to lift off, leaving other water based craft in its wake. The hovercaft is has been developed over the last eleven years. Its’ optimum height is about 4ft 6in above the water. The hoverwing sets off like a normal-hovercraft but when it reaches top speed of 60mph, its wings can be extended and it takes flight. Rudy Heeman believes there may be a commercial market for his creation-the hoverwing. He believes that his invention is an extremely efficient method of transport, travelling at about 6ft over the water and reaching speeds of over 60mph across the surface.
Heeman Officially calls this invention a ‘wing in ground effect vehicle’ – a hovercraft which is able to fly due to a set of unusual aerodynamics. Heeman’s first test flight actually ended in a crash landing. He was lucky and escaped with only a bruised leg. After the accident Heeman made adjustments to the Hovercraft and now believes the hoverwing is ready, but Mr Heeman has yet to decide who to choose.
What a blast that must be! Licensing this device might prove to be a little interesting? I can’t imagine for one moment that the NZ authorities will ignore it or will fail to insist on some kind of certification. In the wrong hands its potential for causing a little consternation on the boating lake or down the coast is considerable. A whole new angle on ‘flipping and dicing’ if the thing turns over – still, not half as much fun as the craft below.
Mar
8
Solarimpulse – an idea realised!
Filed Under Technology | Leave a Comment
Every now and again a project comes along that captures the eye and the imagination. Not just because it involves a spectacular flying machine or even a daring mission fraught with danger. No, this project tweaks the mind because it’s audacious in its proposal and generates a massive challenge to those taking part. Put simply, when the project started the proposal was seen as impossible.
In a world depending on fossil energies, the Solar Impulse project is a paradox, almost a provocation: it aims to have an airplane take off and fly autonomously, day and night, propelled uniquely by solar energy, right round the world without fuel or pollution. An unachievable goal without pushing back the current technological limits in all fields…
Mar
7
Burt Rutan’s vision of Space Flight
Filed Under Airline | Leave a Comment
In this passionate talk, legendary spacecraft designer Burt Rutan lambasts the US government-funded space program for stagnating and asks entrepreneurs to pick up where NASA has left off.
Mar
7
Become a TED addict
Filed Under The World and everything | Leave a Comment
Whilst awake in the early hours I was wandering around my bookmarks and came across this one. A friend who comes from a line of cerebrally gifted individuals had mentioned TED to me and recommended I visit. I set up a download of six short video clips whilst I goofed off doing other stuff.
What followed was quite amazing. If you have a curious mind, try TED. The quality of the ideas and delivery produced by some of the brightest people on the planet will blow you away. Listening to a neuroscientist talking about her own stroke and the effect it had upon her with such raw and beautiful humanity was a privilege that I don’t think you could find anywhere else.
Feb
23
BA again – the Cabin Crew are revolting!
Filed Under Airline | Leave a Comment
Not in the obvious sense of course. After balloting for industrial action a second time the returns show a substantial reduction in a vote for oblivion. 55% decided that they would at least vote to stay at home. Efforts to attenuate the effect of any possible strike across March have been in hand for some time and there are going to be some nasty shocks for a number of people if the poo actually hits the whirly thing.
Feb
17
I stumbled across this UK bases publication after it had been left on the flight deck by a colleague. Later in the cruise I pulled it out and read it from cover to cover – it drew me in. I guess all magazines have a pitch, a target audience that they aim at and I liked this one. This is not a bashing session for GA flying mags but most leave me a little ‘underfed’, large on ads, short on interesting content. We are all different I guess.
Loop is different, refreshingly so with news, comment and material that engages. The companion Loop website contains Loop.tv which perfectly compliments periodical content.
Feb
11
Viral Marketing
Filed Under Blogging, Humour | Leave a Comment
You could have one just like it….
Feb
9
747-8 flies!
Filed Under Boeing/Airbus | 2 Comments
Not one to miss, more of a final chapter in the life of a fabulous jet.
The Boeing 747-8 is a wide-body commercial airliner being developed by Boeing. Officially announced in 2005, the 747-8 is the latest evolutionary variant of the 747, with lengthened fuselage, redesigned wings and improved efficiency. As of 2009[update], the first 747-8 freighter is due to be delivered in 4th quarter 2010, with the passenger model scheduled for 2011.
As of January 8, 2010, a total of 108 Boeing 747-8s were on order; 76 of the freighter version and 32 of the passenger version. The 747-8 first flew on February 8, 2010.
Feb
2
EFB – Dollars & Sense
Filed Under Airline, Technology | Leave a Comment
When times were better the promise of high tech tools on the modern flight deck was an exciting prospect. Having a moving map taxiway chart centred on aircraft position was the promise as was continual display of the same on area charts. Really useful… but arguably not something that would show a ‘demonstrable improvement’ in safety or, dare I say it, a cost saving. Ahhh, I just knew you would cringe just a little with that one.
Jan
24
Is this the coolest EFB ever?
Filed Under AppleMac | 2 Comments
Well, the scheduled 27th January Apple Press conference will settle a few queries and the word is that March should confirm it with a product release.
Rumours are wild, we will see e-reading, games, mobile phone functionality, the App suite of many thousands running native and a couple of version options down the line. Like the iPhone it will evolve, that is for sure.
Me, I have the cash ready and as much as I hate ‘early adopting’ I feel the need… Does that make me an Apple Junkie or just a tech nerd? If you want the full rumour suite try Gizmodo.
