Random facts about planes..
Discussion
Yertis said:
LordLoveLength said:
The CIA experimented with skyhook systems back in the day to enable people to be 'grabbed' by passing aircraft.
As part of testing, a live pig was used 'as pigs have nervous systems close to humans. Lifted off the ground, the pig began to spin as it flew through the air at 125 mph (200 km/h). It arrived on board uninjured but in a disoriented state. Once it recovered, it attacked the crew'
I would pay good money to watch that film.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_surface-to-ai...
The Fulton system was deployed in service; I think I saw it demonstrated at RIAT one year.As part of testing, a live pig was used 'as pigs have nervous systems close to humans. Lifted off the ground, the pig began to spin as it flew through the air at 125 mph (200 km/h). It arrived on board uninjured but in a disoriented state. Once it recovered, it attacked the crew'
I would pay good money to watch that film.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_surface-to-ai...
...here's a Youtube video (poor quality, difficult to see detail, need to ffwd) of a demonstration at RIAT '91 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV1uJFAtP3Y
...and evolution of the system here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsTIeZ03Hk8
nonsequitur said:
Eric Mc said:
It's all about energy management. Most objects that have a flat planed surface can glide if they
a) present the flat surface to the airflow
b) have sufficient altitude and/or initial energy to provide forward motion
Obviously, some objects will glide better than others but there aren't that many things that can't glide a bit.
lots of school teachers out there today.a) present the flat surface to the airflow
b) have sufficient altitude and/or initial energy to provide forward motion
Obviously, some objects will glide better than others but there aren't that many things that can't glide a bit.
Which reminds me, on my training course for BOAC, there was an ex teacher. He didn't finish the training, he just knew it all.
It's one of the reasons why I read these threads.
I kind of assumed others had the same leanings - especially on a thread where people have been asked to post random facts about aircraft
I'm sorry I upset you by knowing things..
Eric Mc said:
It's all about energy management. Most objects that have a flat planed surface can glide if they
a) present the flat surface to the airflow
b) have sufficient altitude and/or initial energy to provide forward motion
Obviously, some objects will glide better than others but there aren't that many things that can't glide a bit.
I'd suggest that things like Soyuz or other re-entry capsules don't really glide, they simply do a Buzz Lightyear and fall with style...a) present the flat surface to the airflow
b) have sufficient altitude and/or initial energy to provide forward motion
Obviously, some objects will glide better than others but there aren't that many things that can't glide a bit.
That sawing noise you often hear on Airbus aircraft whilst taxiing is the power transfer unit (PTU) operating. Often only one engine is used for taxiing to save fuel, so in order to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulic system normally driven by the other engine, the PTU, driven by the running engine's hydraulic system provides that power instead.
Almost like a balancing system between the two separate circuits that also allows them both to function when only one engine is operational.
Almost like a balancing system between the two separate circuits that also allows them both to function when only one engine is operational.
yellowjack said:
Yertis said:
LordLoveLength said:
The CIA experimented with skyhook systems back in the day to enable people to be 'grabbed' by passing aircraft.
As part of testing, a live pig was used 'as pigs have nervous systems close to humans. Lifted off the ground, the pig began to spin as it flew through the air at 125 mph (200 km/h). It arrived on board uninjured but in a disoriented state. Once it recovered, it attacked the crew'
I would pay good money to watch that film.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_surface-to-ai...
The Fulton system was deployed in service; I think I saw it demonstrated at RIAT one year.As part of testing, a live pig was used 'as pigs have nervous systems close to humans. Lifted off the ground, the pig began to spin as it flew through the air at 125 mph (200 km/h). It arrived on board uninjured but in a disoriented state. Once it recovered, it attacked the crew'
I would pay good money to watch that film.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_surface-to-ai...
...here's a Youtube video (poor quality, difficult to see detail, need to ffwd) of a demonstration at RIAT '91 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV1uJFAtP3Y
...and evolution of the system here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsTIeZ03Hk8
Crossflow Kid said:
Chinooks are awesome. Fact.
Not when they're passing low directly over your house in the dead of night they're not!Chinooks don't have navigators. This is because they simply follow the motorway network, reading off the signs to their destination...
But yes, they are awesome. Although some, by reputation, are more awesome than others...
http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/royalairforcech47chinoo...
IforB said:
Eric Mc said:
It's all about energy management. Most objects that have a flat planed surface can glide if they
a) present the flat surface to the airflow
b) have sufficient altitude and/or initial energy to provide forward motion
Obviously, some objects will glide better than others but there aren't that many things that can't glide a bit.
I'd suggest that things like Soyuz or other re-entry capsules don't really glide, they simply do a Buzz Lightyear and fall with style...a) present the flat surface to the airflow
b) have sufficient altitude and/or initial energy to provide forward motion
Obviously, some objects will glide better than others but there aren't that many things that can't glide a bit.
The Americans first tried it with Gemini and the Russians used the same technique with their Zond capsules (which were really Soyuz capsules in disguise). Most famously, the Apollo Command Module could change its angle during descent to alter its re-entry path to get the landing spot closer to the splash down target. Instead of aerodynamic devices such as flaps or ailerons, the capsules used their attitude control thrusters to alter the pitch angles and glide angle.
By the end of the Apollo programme, they were placing the capsules within one mile of the recovery carriers. In fact, the Navy began to get worried that they might plonk the spacecraft on the carrier deck - they were getting so precise.
Early in the US Space programme, re-entry vehicle shapes that gave better glide characteristics were examined - although due to time pressures, a simpler capsule shape was selected.
dvs_dave said:
That sawing noise you often hear on Airbus aircraft whilst taxiing is the power transfer unit (PTU) operating. Often only one engine is used for taxiing to save fuel, so in order to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulic system normally driven by the other engine, the PTU, driven by the running engine's hydraulic system provides that power instead.
I've often wondered what that noise is. Currently having breakfast at Gatwick so I'll attempt to amaze my wife with my knowledge of such things in a bit :-D Eric Mc said:
nonsequitur said:
Eric Mc said:
It's all about energy management. Most objects that have a flat planed surface can glide if they
a) present the flat surface to the airflow
b) have sufficient altitude and/or initial energy to provide forward motion
Obviously, some objects will glide better than others but there aren't that many things that can't glide a bit.
lots of school teachers out there today.a) present the flat surface to the airflow
b) have sufficient altitude and/or initial energy to provide forward motion
Obviously, some objects will glide better than others but there aren't that many things that can't glide a bit.
Which reminds me, on my training course for BOAC, there was an ex teacher. He didn't finish the training, he just knew it all.
It's one of the reasons why I read these threads.
I kind of assumed others had the same leanings - especially on a thread where people have been asked to post random facts about aircraft
I'm sorry I upset you by knowing things..
Concorde: Every bloke over 5' 10'' had a tough time havind a wee, due to the tiny loos.
It gained length of the fuselage due to the speed and heat generated.
The first commercial flight was to...Bahrain. Eventually going on to Singapore, although at sub-sonic speeds.
The landings were generally smooth due to the huge wings compressing a cushion of air.
greghm said:
Speaking about the Concorde, has anyone flown in it ? how much was a ticket back in the pre 2003 days ?
Basically 20% more than First. Book in advance and stay a Saturday night and you could get a return for about £4K if you were lucky, though that might have been starting from somewhere like Amsterdam and transferring to Concorde at LHR.greghm said:
Speaking about the Concorde, has anyone flown in it ? how much was a ticket back in the pre 2003 days ?
Varying figures on here.Never flown on it, but been on it a few times.
http://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=135...
dvs_dave said:
That sawing noise you often hear on Airbus aircraft whilst taxiing is the power transfer unit (PTU) operating. Often only one engine is used for taxiing to save fuel, so in order to provide hydraulic power to the hydraulic system normally driven by the other engine, the PTU, driven by the running engine's hydraulic system provides that power instead.
Almost like a balancing system between the two separate circuits that also allows them both to function when only one engine is operational.
There's an electronic pump that can supply the system run by engine 2. There's three systems on an A320. The third is powered by an electric pump in normal operation, and by the RAT (mentioned in a previous post) if the electric pump fails.Almost like a balancing system between the two separate circuits that also allows them both to function when only one engine is operational.
Apparently chemically generated oxygen smells digusting. Well, i'm sure the element itself is odourless, but combined with whatever else is in there to create it...
Eric Mc said:
Even more spectacular was the External Tank -
And the massive Vehicle Assembly Building in the background - to give an idea of size, the American Flag on the building is the size of a tennis court and with the right atmospheric conditions it can actually rain inside the building.The Kennedy Space Centre is a fascinating and awe inspiring place to tour and although I've not been back since the end of the Shuttle programme I would urge anyone to visit if they get the opportunity.
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff