Model Airplanes

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Screen shot of YouTube video.

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry and hobbyists alike have been quick to condemn an alleged close encounter with commercial airliner. News of the incident emerged after an undated video taken from the UAV, or drone, involved was posted on YouTube.

The 27-sec.video clip starts airborne above Las Vegas. How high the drone is flying is not clear, but it appears obviously above the altitude limit set by the FAA as a large white object moves into frame. The camera turns to track the object, which is revealed to be an Airbus in Frontier Airlines livery. The camera pans around as the aircraft passes underneath. It is hard to make out relative distances in the unmarked expanse of sky, but it appears to be uncomfortably close.

By all appearances, this is clearly and explicitly an illegal and reckless flight by a drone. The unmanned aircraft is above 400 ft., it is near

Article source: http://atwonline.com/regulation/industry-condemns-video-drone-close-encounter-frontier-aircraft

An apparent close call between a drone and a passenger airliner over Las Vegas is the subject of an investigation — and a dramatic video that’s being shared online.

The video is being condemned by drone enthusiasts and the organizations whose members fly unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs.

The short clip shows a Frontier Airlines Airbus jet passing beneath the drone on its way to a landing at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport . The precise altitude of the aircraft is not known.

A report on Air Transport World’s website points out that the drone flight is “clearly illegal and reckless” because the aircraft is above 400 feet, is near an airport, and is above another aircraft with passengers on board — all of which are “gross violations of the rules that govern unmanned aviation,” ATW said.

Drone U Leadership and the entire membership community want to join with other industry leaders to fully CONDEMN this reckless and criminal act. Drone U and it’s members work tirelessly in making our skies safe for all users of the National Airspace System. This pilot’s actions not only endangered the flying public, but has the potential to discredit an entire sUAS industry.It is the opinion of Drone U and it’s members that the pilot receive swift and just punishment for this example of irresponsible and reckless flight.There is no excuse for this type of criminal behavior.

Posted

Article source: https://www.geekwire.com/2018/watch-drone-video-shows-close-call-unmanned-aircraft-passenger-plane/

For years, we’ve heard criticisms about Tesla’s fit and finish, but now Sandy Munro—CEO of a Detroit-area consultancy that tears apart and studies automobiles—has seen a new Model 3 up close. His thoughts: “I can’t imagine how they released this.”

Autoline’s John McElroy spoke with engineering and manufacturing expert Sandy Munro about one of his company’s newest tear-down acquisitions: a Tesla Model 3. Munro was unimpressed with the build quality.

Munro seems especially frustrated by the fit and finish. He mentions the front doors, whose handles are too difficult to open, and whose glass seems to just bounce around inside the panel. As you can see in the image below, Munro notes an extra piece of glued-on sealing material for the driver’s window, saying:

This is an afterthought or something…You’re not supposed to just glue on another piece. Usually you take whatever’s wrong and pull it out and put another one in…Geez, I never saw that before.

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The head of the company that specializes in benchmarking also points out the panel gaps, saying:

The gaps on this car are like—you can see ’em from mars. This is really, not so good.

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He goes on later

Article source: https://jalopnik.com/tesla-model-3-teardown-by-engineering-firm-reveals-qual-1822678045

Davis has a new a new micro-factory for entrepreneurs, giving them the tools they need to launch their business.

Inventopia opened in September, and quickly filled beyond capacity. Eleven startup companies use the space designed for 10. A half-dozen are on a waiting list. It hosted an open house on Jan. 16 at 1949 Fifth St., Suite 110.

Tim Keller, who founded the nonprofit, said science and engineering startups often face a chicken-and-egg scenario. To attract investors, they need prototypes of their products, or high-tech lab space to prove their methods.

At Inventopia, you “don’t have to raise money to make your prototype,” Keller said. “It breaks down larger commercial space into smaller bits, so they are accessible to startups. There’s also a shared pool of tools and resources.”

Inventopia gives startups — typically with UC Davis ties — training for and access to high-tech machinery and lab equipment, to build prototypes and further their business plans. The shop has hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of industrial tools and laboratory resources, from Keller, UC Davis, donors and other members.

Last year, Assembly Bill 2664, which earmarked $22 million to universities for innovation and entrepreneurship, helped UC Davis buy a laser lathe for the shop.

“The focus of Inventopia is to help develop a business,” said Keller, noting that it’s important for Davis to nurture cutting-edge ideas emerging from its research university. “Most of this is only here because of the university.”

Keller knows the dilemma. The founder of VinPerfect patented an oxygen-regulating screw cap for wine.

Article source: https://www.davisenterprise.com/business/inventopia-make-it-and-investors-will-come/

An apparent close call between a drone and a passenger airliner over Las Vegas is the subject of an investigation — and a dramatic video that’s being shared online.

The video is being condemned by drone enthusiasts and the organizations whose members fly unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs.

The short clip shows a Frontier Airlines Airbus jet passing beneath the drone on its way to a landing at Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport . The precise altitude of the aircraft is not known.

A report on Air Transport World’s website points out that the drone flight is “clearly illegal and reckless” because the aircraft is above 400 feet, is near an airport, and is above another aircraft with passengers on board — all of which are “gross violations of the rules that govern unmanned aviation,” ATW said.

Drone U, a service that provides training and other resources for drone enthusiasts, condemned the action in a statement on Facebook on Thursday, which was attached to the video:

“Drone U Leadership and the entire membership community want to join with other industry leaders to fully CONDEMN this reckless and criminal act.  Drone U and its members work tirelessly in making our skies safe for all users of the National Airspace System. This pilot’s actions not only endangered the flying public, but has the potential to discredit an entire sUAS industry. It is the opinion of Drone U and its

Article source: https://www.geekwire.com/2018/watch-drone-video-shows-close-call-unmanned-aircraft-passenger-plane/

NEW YORK, Feb 1 (Reuters) – Boeing Co backed startup Zunum has begun building its first electric airplane motor and is working with U.S. agencies to prepare for commercial flights to take off from small U.S. airports in 2022, Chief Executive Officer Ashish Kumar said on Thursday.

The efforts underscore growing interest and investment in lightweight propulsion systems to bring electric-car benefits to the sky. Zunum, based near Seattle, is among several companies seeking to reduce emissions, noise and travel costs with electric planes. Siemens AG , Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC and Airbus SA joined forces last year on a hybrid electric aircraft propulsion system.

Honeywell International Inc has developed a high-capacity generator that could be used for electric flight.

Norway’s recent decision to use electric aircraft on all short-haul flights by 2040 provides “a significant shift in consciousness” about electric aircraft, Kumar said in an interview.

Norway’s moves contrast with a 2016 U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine study that emphasized better jet engines and fuels to cut emissions, he said.

Norway also is among the strongest backers of electric- cars, having set the goal of selling only zero-emission cars in the country by 2025.

PROTOTYPE MOTOR

Zunum’s prototype motor is due to be tested this year, with an improved version flying on a test aircraft in 2019, Kumar said. The Airbus, Siemens, Rolls-Royce system is scheduled to begin test flights in 2020.

Frank Anton, head of Siemens’ e-aircraft unit, said in an interview its system will work

Article source: https://www.reuters.com/article/aerospace-zunum/e-airplane-startup-zunum-builds-1st-motor-seeks-state-support-ceo-idUSL2N1PR1EN

A Douglas DC-3, a Ford Tri-motor, and the nose of a Boeing 747 jumbo jet. These icons of U.S. aviation history will continue to anchor “America by Air,” one of the most popular exhibits in the National Air and Space Museum’s building on the National Mall. How the airplanes are presented, interpreted, and placed into the narrative of commercial aviation history is about to change. With gifts totaling $28 million, nine major commercial airlines are supporting the transformation of the air-travel gallery, as the first step in a transformation of all of the Museum’s exhibitions and visitor experience. “America by Air” will close later this year to undergo its three-year renovation.

In support of the “America by Air” gallery, American Airlines, The Delta Air Lines Foundation, and United Airlines contributed as lead donors with Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Spirit Airlines also supporting the effort to reimagine the gallery. In recognition of a gift from Southwest Airlines toward the transformation of other museum exhibitions last year, the Welcome Center in the Museum’s “Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall” has been designated the Southwest Airlines Welcome Center.

“America by Air” curator Bob van der Linden spoke with Air Space senior associate editor Diane Tedeschi about the gallery highlights and what visitors can expect after the renovation.

Air Space: What is your favorite artifact from “America by Air”?

Bob van der Linden: Anybody who knows me knows that it would have to be the Boeing 247,

Article source: https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/rebirth-america-air-180967994/