Oz Report
Volume 7, Number 8911 pm, Wednesday, April 2 2003
https://OzReport.com
"Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
- In this issue:
Florida Report Tandem ATOS VX Aeros Discus A memorable future for hang glider pilots Inflatable plane Aeros Stalker Wills Wing goes south
Will fly for subscriptions
Wed, Apr 2 2003, 8:00:00 pm GMTChris Delannoy|Doug Stewart|Mark Clark|Oz Report|Steven Ford
Oz Report readers who helped out on Wednesday: Steven R Ford, Chris Delannoy, Doug Stewart ($60, “Just sent in my USHGA renewal, sixty bucks. I’ve found your Oz Report supplies far more sport aviation info that I find of interest than does the USHGA.”), Mark Clark ($30)
You can see how to send in $10 for a yearly subscription/donation to the Oz Report below.
5 topics in this article: Chris Delannoy, Doug Stewart, Mark Clark, Oz Report, Steven Ford
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Florida Report
Wed, Apr 2 2003, 8:00:01 pm GMTAeros Discus
http://www.davisstraub.com/Glide/questairweather.htm
A hard day in Florida. Strong punchy lift under cu’s that were a bit more than wisps, but not much more. 700 to 800 fpm in places. Light winds if any. Five thousand foot cloud base.
Got knocked about quite a bit on the Aeros Discus as did every one else on their gliders. More on the Discus later.
1 topic in this article: Aeros Discus
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Tandem ATOS VX
Wed, Apr 2 2003, 8:00:02 pm GMTChris Dawes|PG|Tandem ATOS VX
Mark «Mark» writes:
Just got these from Felix at AIR - the Tandem ATOS VX. We will have it at the Avila for use during the PG to HG experiment in May starting 5th May. Who will get their mucky paws on it?
Priority will go to Chris Dawes as a teaching aid for tandem use with the PG pilots (if and when he and Judy feel it appropriate.) Then the really low air timers will get a ride with Felix for thermal finding and coring practice. Then Partners, friends, visitors will hopefully enjoy the late evening glass off rides.
Felix takes the beast on its first XC to the supermarket.
3 topics in this article: Chris Dawes, PG, Tandem ATOS VX
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Aeros Discus
Wed, Apr 2 2003, 8:00:03 pm GMTAeros Discus|Ron Gleason|Steven "Steve" Pearson|tow|Wills Wing Talon|Wills Wing U2
https://OzReport.com/7.76#4
I made sure that I flew the Aeros Discus again today so that I could compare it with the Wills Wing U2’s that I had flown over at Wallaby. I still haven’t had a chance to get on the Icaro 2000 MastR 14 again.
The air was very rough so I didn’t have a good opportunity to compare again its flying characteristics. I wasn’t the only one being tossed around.
The pitch pressures were light on tow with the VG half on. Not as light as the U2, but lighter than the Talon 140 which was pretty light. The tow was rough as was the flying. This is so weird given that there wasn’t any wind. The Discus didn’t get turned sideways like the old Laminar did yesterday on tow.
I had two flights, after getting off too early on the first one. Both landings were a piece of cake in light switchy winds. It’s easy to pull in and gain speed. I came in with one hand on the down tube and one on the base bar pulling in.
The VG was easy, but not as easy as the Wills Wing U2. I had flown the U2-145 with the Spectra VG cord and Steve Pearson thought that might lend to making it easier to pull. Ron Gleason had flown the WW U2-160, with the cloth cord and also found the Discus VG not as easy to pull as the U2. Still, much easier than the Wills Wing Talon, for me at least (Ron didn’t fly the Talon).
Otherwise, it was not a good day for testing. I flew for about an hour and got high from low in ratty light lift that kept kicking me when it wasn’t light.
For the first time in my flying life I got out thermaled by a paraglider in a thermal. No reflection on the glider, of course. Dave Prentice just did great on his paraglider. I came in just underneath him and he climbed away from me.
6 topics in this article: Aeros Discus, Ron Gleason, Steven "Steve" Pearson, tow, Wills Wing Talon, Wills Wing U2
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A memorable future for hang glider pilots
Wed, Apr 2 2003, 8:00:04 pm GMTdrugs
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/04/030402072824.htm
Researchers have found evidence that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, may exert a protective effect against the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Results of their epidemiological, multiple-study analysis of nearly 16,000 patients are being presented at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in Honolulu, March 29-April 5, 2003.
1 topic in this article: drugs
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Inflatable plane
Wed, Apr 2 2003, 8:00:05 pm GMTaltitude|Brett Snellgrove|Deane Williams|Francis Rogallo|National Geographic|photo|site|technique|William Wixon
Dancebert «Dancebert» sends this URL:
The Smithsonian has one: http://www.nasm.si.edu/nasm/aero/aircraft/goodyear_xao.htm
Brett Snellgrove «Snelly14» writes:
Some points in response to Mark's comments on the inflatable aircraft. The machine he is referring to was developed by Dunlop. The technique of passing threads through the separate wing surfaces to form an airfoil on inflation was called air matting, and may indeed replace fabric ribs in paragliders someday giving a more uniform wing.
The Dunlop inflatable aircraft Mark mentions however needed to be constantly pressurized through a mechanical pump attached to the motor (probably to compensate for air density changes with altitude). Apparently the Dunlop inflatable aircraft was flyable - but barely with some difficulties associated with wing warping and control reversal. And It was so light t needed to be tethered before starting the motor.
It is conceivable these problems could be eliminated with new materials. There was an article in the National Geographic recently about new fabrics allowing inflatable columns to support tremendous loads. It is probable these new materials could tolerate the loads imparted by changes in air density and provide sufficient strength to replace existing HG tubing without requiring excessive thickness. The problem I see is carrying a pump capable of achieving sufficient pressure.
Deane HS Williams «deane.williams» writes:
Mark should do a search on PNEUWING and also look at the web site : http://www.prospective-concepts.ch/ This innovative Swiss company has built several inflatable wings.
Robert D. Sterling «dsterling47» writes:
Actually they were used a little. The inside wing structure was different than you describe, as it was more of a fibrous matrix that connected the surfaces. It used crank case pressure to inflate and maintain pressure. The bottled gas was only good for a partial inflate.
I have one of the brochures for it from Goodyear.
William Wixon «wixon» writes:
http://bestofthenet.tv/goan/hglider.shtml
"…As the pace of competitive USA/USSR rocket development quickened, Francis Rogallo adapted and extended the totally-flexible principle into semi-rigid variants. This mainly involved stabilizing the leading edges with compressed air beams …"
http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRheft/FRH9808/FR9808k.htm
here's the website with various pneumatic wings including a pneumatic rigid wing hang glider: http://www.prospective-concepts.ch
I found it not-easy to navigate through their site, here's a photo: http://www.prospective-concepts.ch/en/main/pneumagic/01.htm
one more link: http://www.viridiandesign.org/notes/51-75/00054_festo_stingray.html
9 topics in this article: altitude, Brett Snellgrove, Deane Williams, Francis Rogallo, National Geographic, photo, site, technique, William Wixon
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Aeros Stalker
Wed, Apr 2 2003, 8:00:06 pm GMTAeros Stalker|for sale|Mark Clark
Mark Clark who wrote me a letter but didn’t send his e-mail address is selling his with the new tips with less than 10 hours. $8,000. I guess he’ll contact me and send me his e-mail address.
3 topics in this article: Aeros Stalker, for sale, Mark Clark
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Wills Wing goes south
Wed, Apr 2 2003, 8:00:07 pm GMTaccommodations|flight park|Florida Ridge|James Tindle|Marco Oliveira|Wills Wing
Marco Oliveira «marco» writes:
The Florida Ridge is inviting all pilots for a Wills Wing weekend at our flight park. It will happen this next weekend, Fri/Sat/Sun (4, 5 & 6). Demo flights on all Wills Wing gliders, barbecue, turkey dinner, pool, paintball, etc. If you missed Wallaby Demo Days or are in for more fun, come down to South Florida.
Don't forget that The Ridge has an open purse for pilots that go beyond 100 miles (single surface) or 300 miles (double surface). Also, it could be a warm-up for the comps to be held at Quest and Wallaby this month. Neutral territory for the top guns to try each other!!!!
We will arrange for retrievals if anyone decides to go for a distance. Many choices also on triangular courses in south Florida. Over 40 grass airfields on a 30 miles radius. And excellent flying all around.
Check our website at www.thefloridaridge.com for directions or call James Tindle at 305-2858978 if you need help with accommodations.
6 topics in this article: accommodations, flight park, Florida Ridge, James Tindle, Marco Oliveira, Wills Wing
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