Thoughts from the workbench of Radical RC. The online retailer of electronics and kits for radio control aircraft. Dave Thacker shares his thoughts and knowledge of electronics, batteries, kit design and overall enjoyment of the hobby.
Read the full story here.
Film was taken in Italy on April 24, 1907. It is the first time a motion picture was ever shot from a plane in flight. The footage shows what it was like to fly on one of the early Wright craft, with Wilbur at the helm. The clip opens with the launching, then the plane climbs, levels off, and passes over the flight grounds.
I was cooler today but the ceiling was high and visibiliity was good. Mostly cloudy, nice that some blue was showing. I was in the second flight of the day so the engines were already warmed up, didn’t take long from strapping into to engine start and down the taxi way. It was a great flight. I tool lots of pictures and video. I hope it all comes out well. Soon as I have it processed, I’ll stick it up here.
I have to go to the shop and finish packing for SEFF which is running at this time. We plan to be open in the vendor area Wednesday through Saturday. Not sure how well my tether from laptop to phone will work there. If it works well, I should be able to get some shots uploaded.
Our flight was the last one of a long week of flights the Barbie III crew put in. It was a great time. I heard they were anxious to head for home. After disembarking, I asked one of the crew if he remembered his first warbird flight? He said oh yes! I told him that I just had mine.
Eddy Noble and son Curtis (remember Nikitis Aircraft) were on the same flight. What a surprise to ride with people I knew. They were kind enough to show thier 1946 Cub to my family. It is in excellent condition. Well over 100 youth have gotton a ride in Eddy’s Cub. Meeting Ed’s son, I can tell you he’ll be a successful postive force in the world. What a gentleman.
I’ll try to stick up photo’s and more details about the experience later in the week. I noticed a big uptick in visitors since I put the post up yesterday. Thanks for following!
Happy Flying All!
Dave
Went to Grimes Field in Urbana Ohio today for my B-25 ride. It was a gift from my family for Christmas. Scheduled for 12am. It’s been beautiful around here all week until this morning. Drisely all the way there. Lots of people waiting. Turns out flights were scheduled to start at 9am. However the ceiling was too low for VFR (Visual Flying Rating)flying. It looks like the B-25’s are limited to VFR conditions only. Although, I am not certain, it is likely due to not carrying the equipment certified for modern day IFR (Instiment Flight Rating) flying. The crew was waiting for minimum of 1500 foot ceiling before flying. Thus the delay. We were early so we had a great breakfast at the Airport Cafe. The flight crew reported the flight would be delayed at least 2 hours.
So, we visited the Museum and the B-17 Champaign Lady under contstruction/restoration there. Got a wonderful up close Cleko tour from one of the volunteers. Sat with the family Band talked a while.
Back to the lobby to check the weather/ceiling, still a no go. We had some pie for which this cafe is well known. I choose peanut butter.
Close up, the Barbie III looks to be in excellent condition. For me, it’s not about an aircraft ride, it’s a little about riding in a warbird, but it’s mostly about feeling those two Wright R-2600-13 turbo-supercharged radials of 1,700 hp each pounding away from the inside of the aircraft. I can almost feel my spine tingling just thinking about it.
After lots of conversation and discussing if we’d have all 3 meals in the cafe today, I checked again at about 4:10 and they had scrubbed all the flights until Sunday. The ceiling never got above 1100 feet that I saw and at the time it was down to 700 ft.. I’m rescheduled for 10am on Sunday. It’s going to be colder, low tonight about 36 I heard.
Will report back tomarrow.
by Bob Taylor
Three men were involved in the invention and development of the first powered airplane-that’s right three. Everyone knows about the Wright brothers, but that third man was Charles E. “Charlie” Taylor, a quiet genius who loved cigars and the sound of machinery. Although he contributed to one of man’s greatest achievements, “Powered Flight,” his name was almost lost in aviation history–until now–and if it hadn’t been for Charlie that first powered airplane would never have gotten off the ground……
A worthwhile read, the history behind history. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. To read the full story on AvStop Magazine: The Man Aviation History Almost Forgot
Erik Dahl Christensen’s Airfoil History
If like me, you love to design aircraft and want to get a better handle on airfoils, Eric Christensens’s site is an excellent study. Click his home link to find calculators and other sailplane design information. Even if your not into sailplanes, the information is clearly presented and it’s influenced my thinking and understanding of airfoils on many levels. Studying other aircraft disciplines will help with your discipline whatever it is. I found the Airfoils section of this site very interesting. In fact, I may go back and give it a read again soon. I’m saving the link here for that purpose and to share it with you. I am currently working on my first sailplane kit and this site has helped me a great deal. Get some glue on your fingers!