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Litespeed

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Everything posted by Litespeed

  1. Litespeed
    From memory a Mooney M20 has a big lever that operates the retracts. It very obvious in its position and I would think hard to forget. Retracting after landing seems rather odd.
  2. Litespeed
    Definately a good reason for Lexan screens if you can afford it. Or a open face helmet with bubble screen. I hit a Galah at 120 kmh on a bike 35 years ago and still remember feeling been hit by a gorrilla with a sledge hammer. The helmet screen took a direct hit, not cracked just scratched.
  3. Litespeed
    I bought merino wool thermals at Aldi. Lovely and warm, ultrafine weave and feels like cotton. Wool is very fireproof, standard fare for older fireman suits. Sadly, when bushfires occur you see dead sheep leaned against a fence and the fleece is unburnt and that's with a full load of natural oils.
  4. Litespeed
    We can say certification and design would never allow such a situation. But history of the 737 max and self certification by Boeing with minimal federal oversight has allowed the seemingly impossible to happen. Until the final report and one that's accepted by the European safety authorities, we can not be sure. I do not have a great deal of faith in the USA been a beacon of safety over profit, esp given the Trump cuts. This is India's first full modern investigation into a crash and in a country with known compliance issues, as such we need to wait and see. They may do a great job or they may not. Question? Does the 787 have a single FADEC for both engines? Is it not possible the FADEC is the culprit? Computers are never completely failsafe. To openly speculate about pilot suicide whilst possible does the poor families a great disservice and pilots in general. It also shifts the focus away from technical matters that need to be exhaustively tested. I remember everyone blaming the Pilots for the Max 737 crashes and Boeing happy to blame them, even after the second crash. We can desktop cowboy all we want but we don't know what happened.
  5. Litespeed
    The aircraft shown is a Luciole LC30. Well known in the microlite class in Europe. A lovely aircraft and all wood, a oversized model aircraft almost. Empty weight is 120 kg plus fuel, pilot. Most often using a single two stroke or a converted V Twin mower mower motor. Some electric versions are in the works. 25 HP is considered adequate but more is better. Given the great advances in electrics and the new BYD blade cells at 500watt/kg, a good endurance of two plus hours may be possible. These are weight as a complete battery package ie. With cell management and casing. They are specifically designed for aviation use to meet the new air taxi/ quad copter/ aircraft market. That's a massive boost in energy compared to older cells at 250w/kg max, and most are sub 200w/kg. Small efficient aircraft like the MC 30 and similar SD1. Are excellent candidates for electric and costs would be not much greater then a new fully setup petrol engine.
  6. Litespeed
    I believe you mean "Belstaff" waxed cotton riding gear. I never found them real warm. These days they are a fashion brand and sell more to non riders. The best to keep feet and hands warm is a flat twin BMW, free engine heating for feet and heated grips.
  7. Litespeed
    It's " in Dog almighty we rust". And CFI Zoro has a fully rust proofed airframe.
  8. Litespeed
    Here is my chief flight instructor for water operations and fishing..
  9. Litespeed
    There are lots of us who have to fly in our dreams or vicariously due to health and other issues. My wings got clipped 21 years ago, at age 34, I just "celebrated" 21 years of warfarin and the doctor finally allowed a change to a newer alternative. Hopefully I won't be a walking leaky blood bag anymore. These days I get off watching the water birds and eagles from the boat. Free entertainment and emission free as well.
  10. Litespeed
    Buy quality fine weave Woolen socks with 'Thinsulate' or similar heat barrier tech. To this you add thin real silk inner socks that go up to the top of the calves. The silk really boosts the heat retention and is very comfy on the skin. You can also use silk inner gloves and leather driving gloves. Bike gloves are designed for a curved hand around the bars and are cut/stitched for this, so would be uncomfortable. Getting such silks, and gloves? Web search. Socks most workwear shops/ motorbike shops.
  11. Litespeed
    Ah memories of wicked speed and sudden destruction. I had both control line and RC models from tiny speed demons- one had a screaming AMA 1 cc with 32,000 rpm and 1 HP of fury. The little bastard caught me out one day not using a chicken stick, the scary and bone dent are still very visible. Also had lots of big stuff up to 10ft span, and heaps of electric engined ones. Even built a few motors from scratch, great fun till the smoke escapes the esc. No space on a boat for such things these days.
  12. Litespeed
    I would think the lesson was don't go Boeing 787 until we know the cause of the crash. If the people who build them won't fly then why should we.
  13. Litespeed
    V tail beeches were nicked named - V for vomit! If you were in the back.
  14. Litespeed
    The M1a Abrams tank, which we bought lots of is also turbine powered and has a huge thirst and low range.
  15. Litespeed
    My deepest condolences, I am sure she will be greatly missed.
  16. Litespeed
    My take on the crash is this .. Pilots not at fault, during takeoff it has suffered a complete engine stoppage on both at the same time. The flaps were extended. They had no electrical or hydraulic systems operational after dual engine stoppage. The Ram Air Turbine deployed as it left the airfield in the initial climb, this only extends when total power is lost. Once the RAT deployed, they were a dead plane falling and had no opportunity to save the aircraft. The height was far too low to allow the RAT to provide any opportunity for control power. It would appear a complete electrical system failure stopping both engines. Fuel is not suspected, other aircraft had the same fuel without incident. My view is a Boeing problem unrelated to air India. Dodgy build and swarf shorting a wiring harness? Time will tell. A tragic state of affairs. If it's Boeing, I ain't going.
  17. Litespeed
    Nice little tin bird. However it's missing most rivets on the screen support, possibly yet to have a canopy mounting point? Otherwise a bit poor for a factory video if rivets are missing. No such thing as spare rivets, everyone adds strength.
  18. Litespeed
    Sheep kangaroos? That would be a Woolly Jumper
  19. Litespeed
    My son is down to Avalon this week. Here he is with rocket racer Rosco Mcglashin.
  20. Litespeed
    I would not think that Alan Turing just had ADHD to any significant degree but he was rather a high functioning Autistic ie he was on the spectrum. This often presents as ADHD like symptoms but that is only part of been on the spectrum, their brain is wired differently and ranges from those unable to speak to the socially awkward geniuses. Alan would be called a Savant. Unfortunately he was also a Gay man when that meant jail or worse. Societies attitude particularly some asshole police persecuted him. His career destroyed and criminalised he suicided.
  21. Litespeed
    If it saves you money and makes it sustainable - go for it. We all appreciate what you do for us. Thanks Ian.
  22. Litespeed
    VH-AWG...shit. Bugger I hope pilot is Ok. Beautiful aircraft, too special to not repair. They actually build replica ones for LSA in the states.
  23. Litespeed
    Whilst your at Jerry's, take some pics. Esp of the pub.🍺
  24. Litespeed
    I prefer Butterflies
  25. Litespeed
    I always knew you were a clever bloke. To get back on subject, at least the Asahi brands send the profits to Japan not the USA.
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