Model Airplanes

Aug. 05–A Pismo Beach aerospace company, Empirical Systems Aerospace (ESAero), is playing the key operational role in building an innovative electric-powered plane that its developers say could usher in a new era of quieter, more efficient and environmentally friendly aircraft.

NASA has contracted with ESAero to build the prototype plane, called X-57, and design it to take off faster and use fewer motors compared with fuel-powered aircrafts, without producing carbon emissions.

“We are looking to open the eyes of the industry and demonstrate that, using the unique design and integration techniques that electrics allow, it is possible to build a new generation of aircraft,” said Trevor Foster, ESAero’s vice president of operations .

We are looking to open the eyes of the industry and demonstrate that, using the unique design and integration techniques that electrics allow, it is possible to build a new generation of aircraft.

Trevor Foster, ESAero vice president of operations

Last month, the company flew parts of the plane to its main facility at Oceano County Airport, including the fuselage (main body section), wing, and elevator (flight mechanisms that control the plane’s pitch and wing lift).

ESAero is the prime contractor with NASA, building specific components of the aircraft and coordinating the completion of the rest. The company has completed its initial inspection and measurements of some parts, which now will be moved south to a subcontractor for integration of electric power systems.

175 Expected top speed in miles per hour of the prototype electric plane

Other companies involved with the project include Xperimental

Article source: http://www.aviationpros.com/news/12241727/pismo-beach-aerospace-company-building-electric-plane-for-nasa

Second World War veterans took a sentimental journey Monday, flying over Sault Ste. Marie in a vintage United States Air Force B-17 bomber.

The bomber, somewhat appropriately, is nicknamed ‘Sentimental Journey’ adorned with an image of blonde bombshell 1940s American actress Betty Grable on its sides.

The B-17, along with a Second World War U.S. Air Force B-25 Mitchell bomber, arrived at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport to kick off Algoma Aviation Week, which continues through to Sunday.

The two planes will be on hand for public tours, which cost $10 (Canadian). 

Actual flights on both planes will be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The fees for flights are considerable but worth it for aviation and history buffs looking for a memory that will last a lifetime.

For flight costs, email B17RC@azcaf.org or call (778) 668-0417.  

Media members were treated to a flight aboard the B-17 by the plane’s volunteer crew, accompanying local veterans Frank Neilson, Jim Scotland and Harold Soderlund, while other veterans and members of both Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 and Sault, Michigan’s American Legion Post 3 paraded, mingled and watched from the ground at the Sault Airport.

The three veterans aboard the bomber were clearly enthralled as they gazed out over the city of Sault Ste. Marie during the 20-minute flight, standing at the aircraft’s windows, still mounted with no-longer-operational but well-preserved machine guns. 

“I thought about the dangers that they (World War II Allied airmen) faced, those gunners who used those guns to defend themselves and the terrible risk, and how many of

Article source: https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/second-world-war-bombers-fly-over-sault-as-algoma-aviation-week-starts-16-photos-video-352158

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A recently redrawn flood zone map in Syracuse has some people scratching their heads.

Why were hundreds of properties added to the risk zone? Why do adjacent houses sometimes have differing designations? Do I need to buy flood insurance now?

The flood maps are a result of nearly 10 years of information gathering and negotiations between the City of Syracuse, New York State and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to officials with those agencies.

Essentially, the maps predict which areas would flood in the event of a storm that has a 1 percent chance of occurring — often referred to (mistakenly) as a “100-year storm.”

Andrew Martin is the FEMA Region 2 Risk Analysis Branch Chief. He has been working with city and state officials since 2008 to draw the maps. He said the Syracuse map released last week represents a smaller floodplain than the agency initially wanted in 2008.

The floodplain includes swaths of houses around Onondaga Creek and Meadowbrook.

“We’re aware flood insurance can be expensive and it can be hard to cover that cost if you’re on a fixed budget,” Martin said. “But we want to make sure people are aware of the risk.”

Article source: http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2016/08/why_was_my_house_added_to_a_flood_zone.html

SUNDAY AUG. 7

Music in the Park Series: 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, at Young Park, 1905 E. Nevada Ave. Featuring Remember Then-A Class Act of Las Cruces and Cantelina Plena of Las Cruces. The series offers a variety of performances throughout the summer. Free. Info: Parks and Recreation Department, 575-541-2550. TTY number, 575-541-2772.

Purple Heart Monument: On Sunday, Aug. 7, National Purple Heart Day, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Mesilla Valley Chapter #2004 will be formally dedicating the newly erected Purple Heart Monument at 10 a.m. at Veterans Park, 2651 N. Roadrunner Pkwy. All Purple Heart recipients are invited to attend. The dedication is free and open to the public.

Bluegrass, Country, and Folk Music Jam: 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, in the lobby of O’Donnell Hall, corner of Gregg and Williams streets, NMSU campus. All players are welcome to this fun, drop-in group. Info: 575-405-1290.

Red Enchilada Plate Fundraiser: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, at 2430 N. Valley Drive, for John L. Vasquez, candidate for county commissioner District 5. Donation is $6 per plate. Drinks and desserts available. Tickets/info: Mildred Vasquez, 505-240-1768 or Diana Archuleta, 575-405-2719.

MONDAY AUG. 8

Operation Spot-NM: Spay or neuter your pet Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 8-10, at PetSmart, 2200 E Lohman Ave. Rabies vaccine and microchip included for the low cost of $70. If your

Article source: http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/life/sunlife/2016/08/07/my-las-cruces-aug-7/87748632/

ARLINGTON — The alarm klaxon cut through the whirring noise of the airplane engine. The digital speed gauge dropped steadily toward 39 knots — the two-seat plane’s stall speed, indicating it would be going too slow to stay in the air.

As the plane stalled, its nose gently dipped toward Puget Sound about 1,500 feet below. The plane descended ever so slightly. As it lost altitude, it picked up speed. The gauge’s dial climbed above stall speed, and the plane smoothly returned to level flying. The whole thing lasted less than a minute and was hardly noticeable but for the alarm.

“The plane wants to stay in the air,” the pilot, Ben Rauk, said.

He banked the Glasair Merlin right toward Arlington Municipal Airport, Glasair’s home for more than 20 years. Rauk is a production manager and test pilot for the company.

The light sport airplane marks a major shift for the company, which has made more 3,000 kit airplanes since it began in 1979. Unlike kit planes, which are assembled by their owners, the Merlin will be sold ready to fly.

It is the first step in Glasair Chief Executive Nigel Mott’s plan to transition the company from selling kits to making turnkey airplanes.

The company is simply following the market, he said.

Private pilots increasingly want turnkey planes. While kits have never been a huge portion of small airplane sales, demand “is probably stable for now, but slowly declining” in the near future, he said.

The addition of the Merlin makes Glasair the state’s second largest

Article source: http://www.heraldnet.com/news/arlingtons-glasair-set-to-be-states-second-biggest-plane-maker/

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You reach an age when you begin to repeat yourself, telling your best stories over again to the pained faces of friends and loved ones. Some of my stories are the exploits of a tobacco-chewing, free-range reporter who mentored me early in my career.

Article source: http://www.columbiatribune.com/opinion/oped/obits-once-brought-newspapers-to-life/article_add5eed9-8da8-537c-8020-588468c3d922.html