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Post by antb on Oct 15, 2018 2:48:58 GMT -5
Cool thread! Because all airplanes are cool! In my family: Uncle Paddy flew Spitfires in WW2. Maternal grandfather and four uncles were all aircraft tecnicians for South African Airways. I still remember when my uncles assisted in bringing the first Boeing 747 (Jumbo Jet) to South Africa. During a stopover in Windhoek we had a grand tour of the plane. One of those childhood memories to treasure forever. I read that about two dozen South Africans flew for the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Perhaps Uncle Paddy was one of them? Sadly, I'm not fully acquainted with the history, sinc both Uncle Paddy and my grandfather are long gone. Would have loved to know more. |
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Post by toshtego on Nov 8, 2018 11:17:15 GMT -5
OK, Airnuts, I have a question for you.
This morning I was watching a USAAF training film familiarizing new pilots with the P-47. The instructor described the "water injection" power boost which can really lift this plane. So, how does that work? Water is hydrogen, a known combustable, and oxygen, an accelerant, but how does injecting water into a gasoline engine actually happen so that it ignites? Anyone know about this?
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 8, 2018 11:50:10 GMT -5
OK, Airnuts, I have a question for you.
This morning I was watching a USAAF training film familiarizing new pilots with the P-47. The instructor described the "water injection" power boost which can really lift this plane. So, how does that work? Water is hydrogen, a known combustable, and oxygen, an accelerant, but how does injecting water into a gasoline engine actually happen so that it ignites? Anyone know about this?
Here's something I found... |
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Post by PhantomWolf on Nov 8, 2018 21:40:38 GMT -5
Always a dream. I've been thinking of tracking down one of those one-man ultralights. Lawn chair with wings type of deal. Not sure if they require a license- Honestly, I don't care if they do. haha The rich guys can fly over me.
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Post by PhantomWolf on Nov 8, 2018 21:43:14 GMT -5
"Ultralight aircraft in the United States are much smaller and lighter than ultralight aircraft as defined by all other countries. In the United States, ultralights are described as "ultralight vehicles" and not as aircraft. They are not required to be registered, nor is the pilot required to have a pilot's certificate." Sweet. I don't have to break any laws.  |
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Post by toshtego on Nov 8, 2018 23:27:10 GMT -5
OK, Airnuts, I have a question for you. This morning I was watching a USAAF training film familiarizing new pilots with the P-47. The instructor described the "water injection" power boost which can really lift this plane. So, how does that work? Water is hydrogen, a known combustable, and oxygen, an accelerant, but how does injecting water into a gasoline engine actually happen so that it ignites? Anyone know about this?
Here's something I found... Thank you for looking that up. I found a similar discussion. |
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Post by Legend Lover on Nov 9, 2018 2:58:06 GMT -5
"Ultralight aircraft in the United States are much smaller and lighter than ultralight aircraft as defined by all other countries. In the United States, ultralights are described as "ultralight vehicles" and not as aircraft. They are not required to be registered, nor is the pilot required to have a pilot's certificate." Sweet. I don't have to break any laws. Ha. It was nice knowing you. |
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Post by toshtego on Nov 10, 2018 12:14:24 GMT -5
I have long had an interest in Gyrocopters. Anyone flown one?
Uses an unpowered rotor for lift instead of fixed wings and a second prop for thrust.
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Post by bonanzadriver on Nov 10, 2018 20:52:24 GMT -5
Fun thread. Don't know how I missed it before. I've been fortunate enough to have been a pilot for almost 30 years now. I owned this beauty for 10 years...  I really miss her. :-( |
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Post by pepesdad1 on Nov 10, 2018 20:57:10 GMT -5
She is a beauty, Dino...I bet you do miss her. When you bond with an aircraft...I guess it is like you having wings...I can certainly see the bond.
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Post by bonanzadriver on Nov 10, 2018 21:18:51 GMT -5
Thanks Walt. Our baby, Jenni, named her Vickie. Vickie the V-Tail. ;-)
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Post by toshtego on Nov 10, 2018 21:35:09 GMT -5
Long admired the Beechcraft Bonanza.
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Post by Stearmandriver on Nov 11, 2018 4:12:59 GMT -5
An interesting topic of conversation. Sadly, I could not afford to finish my training for a private license but never lost appeciation for flying. I had an uncle who was an instructor for the USAAF during WW2 and, as a boy, took me up in a Texan and then his Navion enough times for me to bitten by the bug.
Planes I have loved:
Cessna 170 Aircoupe, Beech Bonanza,
This is my current fantasy plane:
Pilatus PC-12, Turbo. Made in Switzerland. There is an airline which flies them from nearby Alamosa CO to Denver. Someday, I might make the trip just to fly in one.
So, what is your dream plane or what you rely upon?
Interesting thread indeed, don't know how I missed it either! The Pilatus is a sexy single, I know you're not alone in being smitten with her. I've never been in one, but know several people who have flown them and they all enjoyed it. My personal dream plane? The Stearman for sure (ok, I'll admit to lusting after an F-4U Corsair if we're dreaming). The one I "rely on"? That would have to be the Boeing 737 NG family, since they haul my butt thousands of miles every week and are what pays the bills. The contrast of jumping back and forth between those two planes is fun (although the basic 737 design isn't that much newer than the Stearman ;-)). |
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Post by toshtego on Nov 11, 2018 11:46:26 GMT -5
During my brief attempt at obtaining a PP license decades ago, I flew as a student out of a grass strip in northern California. There was a Stearman there and was always an attention grabber.
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