planedriver

Just thought i'd throw this one in for a bit of open discussion.

With the various types of reduction drives available today, I was wondering whether something like the Variomatic drive produced by the Dutch company DAF in the early sixties would have any place in the light sport aircraft arena?

Oweing to their simplicity, they proved extremely reliable, even under such duress as The East African Safari Rally's. In many instances they would cover hundreds of thousand miles with no problems or maintenance at all. They had the ability to smoothly change from forward drive, to going in reverse.

I think this was once called a Kopp gearbox, or something similar, and was infinately variable with drive belts running between tapered cones.

I believe in the old saying that "simplicity is the best basis for reliablity"

Could this idea be useful to apply a bit of reverse-thrust, to slow an aircraft down on short strips.

Looking forward to your comments.

"Breaker, Breaker", where are you Nev?

Its raining........... :-(

So whats with the raining whinge? I thought trikes had an umbrella up at all times:stirrer:

All the best (flying) for Christmas and the New Year

Rgds Alan

A man in Scotland calls his son in London the day before Christmas Eve

and says,

"I hate to ruin your day but I have to tell you that your mother and I

are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough".

"Dad, what are you talking about?'" the son screams.

"We can't stand the sight of each other any longer", the father says.

"We're sick of each other and i'm sick of talking about this, so you

call your sister in Leeds and tell her".

Frantically, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone, "Like

hell they're getting divorced", she shouts, "I'll take care of this".

She calls Scotland immediately and screams at her father, "You are NOT

getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling

my brother back and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a

thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?"and hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife.

"Done! They're coming for Christmas - and at least this time, they're paying their own bloody way."

You will find that all of the Alans on this site are very helpfull with a wicked sense of humour.ALAN.

Geez! i'm talking to myself again.

Alan

Well done mate, that looked awesome up there this morning.

Thanks for posting the video.

Kind Regards

Alan

I once worked with a guy that always said it was better to rent than buy. /quote]I bet Paul McCartney wishes he'd read this bit of the post, and acted on it:augie:

Good on you ayavner:cheers:.

I reckon it's a great thing you are doing, and those who receive your contribution of services, will i'm sure, be very appreciative of your generosity.

You''re going well Stew.

Looks like I might have to book another holiday up in the bay, to check that your'e not b'sh--ting us, and to add a bit of ballast to reduce your ROC

Motif, i've always liked the Jabiru concept, being Aussie-built and well priced, and the basic hull integrity seems to be great.

Sometimes in life, we get what we pay for.

I've flown a few Jabiru's and loved every minute that i've spent in them, however, at the back of my mind, there's always been a bit of concern about what if the fan suddenly stops turning?

I'd love to think that this great Aussie product was up with what the rest of the world has to offer, but sadly statistics seem to possibly show another side to the story.

With all that i've learned from others on these forums over the years, plus hearing about water-cooled heads, optional fuel-injection mod's etc; I realise that people would not even bother to invest heaps of time and money in developing these items, if they didn't think there was a bit of problem to be solved.

Cheap, dosen't necessarilly mean unreliable, My sister-in-law has a little Hyundi Excel with just over 300,000 clicks on it, she's only ever had to pay out for a new battery and regular servicing. It's starting to blow just a tad of smoke now, but with oil changed every three months regardless, it still dosen't miss a beat.

I do so hope that Jabiru can attain a level of reliabilty approaching what buyers would want to reasonably expect long term, so they can make an Aussie Aviators potential icon, live up to their reasonable expectations.

Go for it, Bunderberg Boys!

May you manage to make time, TO TAKE SOME TIME OUT!

before your'e in the dog house.

"Who cares" planey said, after being invited onto the flight deck by the lovely Virgin? pilot. I don,t care much whether you call it the Cockpit, or, The Box Office.

I know exactly what you mean kyliefil, and a nice place to break the journey while heading north or south. A nice buch of guys and Andy (Motz) always has a warm welcome and good advise, if needed.

WD40 will fix it

OMG, you got the 1,600 post Nev.

Just forward me all your credit card details, and you could be lucky enough to win yourself a free Ipad, or an empty bank account.

They only do that after they have been sprayed. Reminds me of the scene in a battlefield where I think it was John Cleese on a field telephone to a superior officer and says " Sir my men are dying like flies " and the camera moves to these soldiers on their backs spinning around with their arms and legs bent up going BZZZZZZZ, BZZZZzz. Nev

More Teen Flyers tend to view things that way Nev

Kind Regards

Alan

It's looking great Pete, Good onya!

When its finished you'll need the vintage leatherbound goggles that have been sitting in my spare drawer for years

Looks worth every cent you are asking kidone01.

Hope you get more than you are asking for it.

Remember, everyone likes something for next to nothing, though it dosen't pay the bills.

Ian, we are all appreciative of all your hard work, BUT MATE, LISTEN TO ME THIS TIME FOR GOODNESS SAKE. it's time to take some time out, so you get a chance to smell roses with the luv'ly Carrim and the kid's.

No excuses now!

Not the same as the big screen, but you can also see it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-a9SH4AzNU

In the Imax film Australia:Land Beyond Time, I think it was one of these they used as a camera platform for much of the movie.

Flown from the back seat, with camera man hanging out the front, there was some great footage especially for all of us that love flying.

Well worth seeing on the big screen, with a lot of low level flight around Lake Eyre and other places.

P.S. For anyone in Sydney whose interested, i've just found out that it's back on again

at The Imax Darling Harbour Mon 26th Nov at 1pm and again Wed28th at 12.00pm.

I'll see it again for sure.

OK plane driver, 1900 hpors so far and it is getting close to going to the airstrip. Photos when the wings go on.

So knitting socks appears to be on the back burner:cheers:

That' great news Al, because we tend to be a bit impatient on here:crazy:

I have to admit my memories pretty good Alan, but not that bloody good!

Duracells don't fix everything you know

At The Metroplitan Police Driver Training School in London we were taught that good driving is an art---not just a pastime:cops:

:welcome:Tabers.

Many that know a lot more than me, know that clouds can have teeth and bite you in the butt if not suitably qualified, but theres a lot more space than that to enjoy yourself.

Go for it.