Terrafugia Transition can now drive you to the airport
July 5, 2011 by admin · Leave a Comment
For most experimental aircraft, earning an airworthiness certificate is enough of a challenge. But the Terrafugia Transition is a unique type of flying machine, requiring approval not only from the FAA, but also from the USDOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), since this air / land hybrid is likely to spend just as much time cruising down the highway as it will flying 5,000 feet above.
The Transition is now slightly closer to takeoff, with the NHTSA granting exemptions for absent airbags, a missing electronic stability system, and the plane’s lightweight polycarbonate windows (polycarbonate is lighter than automotive safety glass, and won’t shatter and obscure a pilot’s vision in the event of a bird strike).
Unfortunately the Transition still has other hurdles to fly over — its cabin is limited to carrying 330 pounds when fully fueled, including passengers, and the price has jumped 41 percent, to $250,000. In the meantime, Terrafugia hopes to move forward with production later this year, bringing the ‘flying car’ slightly closer to a runway (and highway) near you.
United States Air Force Thunderbirds Upgrade To The Lockheed Martin F-16 C/D
July 28, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
The U.S. Air Force flight demonstration squadron, otherwise known as the Thunderbirds, recently upgraded their aircraft to the latest Lockheed Martin F-16 C/D (Block 52) Fighting Falcons for their 2009 season of mind-bending flight demos. Besides the enhanced avionics on board, inside each fighter jet lurks the awesome power of the latest Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engine, spinning up 29,160 lb of thrust, giving each of the six aircraft an extra 3,600 pounds’ worth of oomph to knock our socks off.
We saw these crazy flyboys slam-dunking their harrowing routine yesterday in Milwaukee, and we’re here to tell you, those new engines kick serious ass. Now the F-16 C/Ds can take off and immediately rocket straight up, forming their signature diamond formation as they execute the Diamond Loop. In the most startling part of the demonstration, one of the jets flew close to us (it felt like a few feet overhead) with the afterburner cranked up to the maximum. It was the loudest roar we’ve ever heard from an aircraft.
Stay At the Hotelicopter: The World’s First Flying Hotel
March 27, 2009 by tcgames · Leave a Comment
Editor’s note: I keep thinking this is a hoax, but whether or not it turns out to be real, it is one cool looking machine.
Since 2004, the company behind the Hotelicopter has been working to modify a Soviet-made Mil V-12 into two world firsts: the “world’s biggest helicopter” and the “world’s first flying hotel.”
As you might have guessed, the experience on board the Hotelicopter is far from your standard Motel 6. This gigantic flying Titanic machine features everything you would expect from a 5-star hotel—from private entertainment systems and room service to extras like spa treatments, yoga classes, gaming and a tea garden.
If you were wondering just how big and powerful this flying hotel really is, check out the specs:
* Dimensions Length: 42 m (137 ft)
* Height: 14m (45 ft)
* Maximum Takeoff Weight: 105850 kg (232,870 lb)
* Maximum speed: 255 km/h (137 kt) (158 miles/h)
* Cruising speed: 237 km/h (127 kt) (147 miles/h)
* Original Mi Range: 515 km (320 mi)
* Our augmented Mi Range – 1,030 km (640 mi)
The inaugural flight is set to take place on June 26th for an undisclosed price. Obviously, only the affluent need apply—but anyone that is interested can head on over to the Hotelicopter website to get more info about setting up a reservation. [Hotelicopter Thanks Zlooop!]
