onetrack

We are only one small breakthrough away from electric-powered aircraft making sizeable inroads into fossil-fuel-powered aircraft. That small breakthrough will be lighter batteries with more power output.

Samsung now has solid-state batteries in the offing, which promise lighter weight with more energy output. This is not any theoretical idea, it is reality.

With the amount of effort going into battery research right now, I can see fossil-fuel engine development withering on the vine within a few short years.

The stars are aligning to bring electric-powered aircraft to the forefront of design. Those stars are being lit up by the corona virus causing aviation havoc, by a need to reduce operating costs (which specifically includes fuel costs), a need to reduce maintenance costs, and a strong desire to reduce emissions - and that includes aircraft emissions.

Aircraft designers will now go back to their drawing boards (well, computers, actually), and produce new aircraft designs centred specifically around electric motive power. The future is here, and we have a glimpse of it, below.

https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2020/06/01/magnix-electric-aircraft-engines-take-to-the-skies/

Arron25 - Spot on with the Jihlavan KP-2U identification.

That's what happens when you don't use enough duct tape! LOL

Flighrite - I was trying to confirm if the Contys were 165HP or 185HP. Some sources say 165, some say 185. I think some typos have crept in, so I'll go with 185HP. The Italian lines gave it away.

Macchi M.B. 320. Powered by 2 Continentals (E185 models) rated at 185HP each.

Both Rotax and Jabiru Gen 4 engines use Nikasil bores.

Conversion of an energy source to power in a simple rotary form, in an efficient manner, is a dream that has escaped a multitude of engineers and designers.

But I would be concerned, if I was developing a fossil-fuel-powered, relatively-simple, small rotary-type engine, that electric motors and batteries will soon overtake the likes of turbines for an aircraft power source.

The salient point is that all the current R&D in Universities, Corporations and Companies, is towards electric motive power and battery development. Even the Saudis are despondent over the future of fossil fuels.

The ATSB Chief Commissioner, Greg Hood has been quoted as stating - "ATC provided clearance for the aircraft to become airborne about three nautical miles north of Broome airport".

"[Control] observed the aircraft to climb above the treetops, when the aircraft appeared to enter a spin, and impact terrain in the industrial area just north of Broome."

From the eyewitness reports, it is starting to appear like a mechanical failure in the drive to the tail rotor, or in the tail rotor itself, is going to be the focus of investigations.

.....leaving onetrack disappointed, as he was particularly partial to a nice lamb roast, and he definitely wanted to try a taste of the new lamew breed of sheep.

But the large red dust cloud was sighted by a passing Dual Bird pilot, who had trouble gaining on the cloud, due to his 23 KT IAS. He fell far behind the cloud, until he could barely see it, and ......

The young girl that was initially in critical condition is Troy Thomas' daughter. Her condition has now been listed as "stable". The 23 yr old injured woman is still in a critical condition.

I heard the media say the chopper was "recently serviced". Could be a clue there, the chopper had not long taken off. The W.A. Police have stated "an issue" developed in the air, but have not elaborated on those words.

....there was a crowd in town that had specially gathered to meet him - as he thought his fame had preceded him, such was the efficiency of the Bush Telegraph.

Then he saw Cappy and rapidly realised there was skullduggery and conniving afoot, and the crowd was possibly a lynch crowd - who, being thwarted by a BLM gathering, had decided to.........

The ATSB seems to have been very thorough and very careful to ensure that the carbon monoxide toxicity tests and results were accurate, and reviewed by the appropriate health specialists.

The autopsy results rarely lie, and carbon monoxide is an insidious and silent gas that has incapacitated and killed many people in many different environments.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-05/troy-thomas-killed-in-broome-helicopter-crash/12423668

Overloading is always a potential problem and often a reason behind chopper crashes - but with two young girls aboard, one would have to say the overloading scenario is unlikely.

This is terrible. The pax were a man and woman and two young girls. The man died at the scene of the crash, one 11 yr old girl died shortly after the crash in Broome Hospital. The woman and the other girl survived with critical injuries.

The media is being quiet on any further news. It sounds like a family outing that ended in disaster. The crash site is on a street in the Light Industrial Area (LIA) in the far Northern reaches of Broomes suburbs.

I trust they find the source of the reason for the crash pretty soon. The Robbies crash record has been slammed, but the figures show they are as safe as any other chopper, and many Robbie crashes are pilot-induced.

Carbon Monoxide is not cumulative in the body. An interesting effect, however, is that being exposed to quite low levels of Carbon Monoxide for an extended time, produces a form of "acclimatisation", which enables the individual to function without CO-caused dysfunction.

But - when the individual is removed from the constant low-level exposure to CO, and then returns to the exposure, it takes a lower level of CO exposure to affect the bodys function.

CO poisoning starts at very low levels (6ppm), and the initial signs are headache, dizziness and nausea, coupled with decision-making confusion. If you become severely poisoned with CO, you will suffer from long-term neurological damage.

https://www.karger.com/Article/PDF/24630

The news as regards AP mail and parcel handling is not getting any better. I ordered an item from AliExpress on June 10th, paid to have it sent Air Express from China (reportedly 10-13 days delivery).

It hasn't arrived, and AP tells me from the tracking search, that it's likely to have been sent by sea, as international flight numbers are severely restricted.

In addition to the COVID-19 impact, there is also an impact on U.S. mail and parcel handling, due to "civil unrest". What a disastrous time to try and acquire anything from overseas, or send items overseas.

https://auspost.com.au/about-us/news-media/important-updates/coronavirus/coronavirus-international-updates#international

The ATSB has released an update to the above crash investigation (internal review of the final report) and has determined that carbon monoxide poisoning of the pilot led to the crash.

The Beaver had a cracked exhaust collector ring, coupled with numerous missing bolts in the firewall, leaving holes through which exhaust fumes could enter, according to the investigators.

It is a matter of great concern that supposedly highly-trained and qualified LAME's could allow this to happen.

The investigation report certainly sends a very strong warning to ensure your aircraft is fume-proof, and that a good CO detector is fitted.

The investigation is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2020.

https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2017/aair/ao-2017-118/

AP have dropped their Express Post delivery time guarantee, for the duration of the COVID-19 epidemic. So you're just as well off not paying the extra for Express Post.

The best delivery operators for speedy parcel delivery is the Road Express operators - TNT, Toll, and most couriers.

Riley - So, whose local restored Model A Ford, is now missing its engine?

Cortec are specialists in anti-corrosion products in every field. Here's the story of their aviation products.

https://www.cortecvci.com/Publications/Brochures/Aircraf_Brochure.pdf

You probably should vacuum-wrap your engine in a heavy-duty PVC film. I've seen some very large industrial equipment in an industrial yard wrapped this way - the equipment is seriously large mining equipment.

It's been vacuum wrapped for at least a couple of years that I know of, possibly longer.

.......but Turbo was then appalled to find that airline food is now ceasing to exist, in the COVID-19 era. This removal of food from Virgin aircraft, of course, will help the bottom line no end, once Virgin starts flying again in numbers.

Hungry pax are light pax, so it's a win-win situation. No food costs for Virgin, and a reduced fuel burn. In addition, the toilets won't be used much, so half the toilets will be removed and replaced by more seating.

"I had no idea!", said Turbs in amazement ... "that airline food was such a drag on Virgin!"

"It's a drag on the pax, too", said Onetrack, as he surveyed the pathetic menu list, and pondered about the many unidentifiable items he'd gnawed on, whilst warming the park bench Virgin seating for free.

"Now that you mention this", said Turbo, "there's a whole range of savings to be extracted from pax, from here on in! First, we'll install .......

Skippy, try some of these ....

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CORTEC-VcPI-105-Emitter-Vapor-Phase-Corrosion-Inhibitor-/173789831842?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

......which he's thinking, he could put towards investment into a major upgrade to WreckFlyin', which would allow forum users to expand their aviation knowledge and communication abilities, to levels previously unheard of - except that.....

That little Hornet sure takes the words, "compact size", to a whole new level! Just enough room to take along your toothbrush? Or do you take it as luggage, for further flight into areas not serviced by commercial? LOL

https://aeropedia.com.au/content/aak-hornet-sport-ag/