The Real Deal

Friday, May 30th, 2008

Suzette’s Helicopter Ride

Thursday afternoon, Suzette went for a two-hour ride in a helicopter, courtesy of the San Jose Police Department.

She won the ride in an auction benefiting the San Jose Museum of Art, where she volunteers as a docent.

Taking off from the NASA area of Moffett Field, two SJPD officers hosted her on an aerial tour of San Jose, during which they flew over our house. Sadie and I didn’t realize that she was overhead, otherwise we would have run outdoors, barking with excitement.

(more…)

Posted in Elsewhere | 5 Comments »

Slashed!

Monday, May 26th, 2008

Shredded Wing

When a 6-ounce foam wing runs into a 3 lb. 450-class helicopter, this is what happens.

Fortunately, Danh Le’s T-Rex helicopter survived the encounter and landed successfully, suffering only a nick in one blade.

The Mini SpeedWing lost its right elevon, about a third of its wing tip and some shreds of foam from the wing itself.

This little wing has proved itself in combat. I’d guess that it’s flown 70 or more combat sessions without suffering serious injury. I’ve rehinged the elevons, Gooped up rips in its foam and resoldered the motor leads. Otherwise, it seemed indestructible.

(more…)

Posted in Baylands | 2 Comments »

Rainy Day Thoughts

Monday, January 28th, 2008

Dice

When the weather forecast suggests a 50% chance of rain tomorrow, it means this:

In the past when conditions were similar to today, it rained tomorrow 50% of the time.

What this doesn’t tell you is how often it will rain tomorrow: will you have periods of an hour or two with no showers?

But just as you’re thinking about this you notice that the wind is forecast for 10, 20, 30mph during various parts of the day.

So even though the sun is shining for a moment right now I won’t try to fly today.

Instead, I’ve returned to assembling my T-Rex 450 kit.

(more…)

Posted in Home | 2 Comments »

Whirling into a New Year

Sunday, December 30th, 2007

Blade CX2

My goal for 2008 is to become a proficient helicopter flyer. I’m starting from zero—perhaps less than zero, since I found learning to fly a fixed wing plane so difficult. But after two and a half years I’ve become a capable airplane flyer, and I’d like to stretch my horizon.

In the year 2007, I accomplished two compatible goals: I trained myself to fly lower and much closer. I’m now very comfortable with that style of flying.

I also learned how to fly inverted, another early aspiration.

(more…)

Posted in Home | 5 Comments »

Norman’s Klingberg Wing

Sunday, November 11th, 2007

Klingberg Kit

The temperature in Amherst, New Hampshire, is about 20 degrees cooler than it is in San Jose as I open an email from our East Coast Correspondent, Norman McInstry.

“The bake-a-plane project was complete late summer,” he writes. “First flight was a bad landing, which broke the right wing. I made new ones & added tape where needed. A pusher motor configuration proved better than tractor, so I made a pylon to be used both ways & attached by one sheetrock screw.

(more…)

Posted in Elsewhere | No Comments »