Self-Healing ‘Magic Skin,’ A Condom for Aircraft
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Self-Healing ‘Magic Skin,’ A Condom for Aircraft
NASA has awarded Cessna Aircraft Co. with a $1.9 million development contract for its self-healing “magic skin” condom for future aircraft.
The idea is to pad the entire airliner with energy-absorbing foam, then slide the giant conductive sheath along the plane’s body. Once on, the snug-fit casing would protect the vehicle from impact damage, lightning strikes, electromagnetic interference and temperature extremes.
Self-Healing
The idea is to pad the entire airliner with energy-absorbing foam, then slide the giant conductive sheath along the plane’s body. Once on, the snug-fit casing would protect the vehicle from impact damage, lightning strikes, electromagnetic interference and temperature extremes.
Self-Healing
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One must always wash out any fish/food smells before leaving aircraft in the bush, the number the bear did on this Cub was mild compared with some Ive seen! Moose have been known to totally wreck any aircraft found in "their" range, after all they were here long before us.
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@Pilot DAR That plane is functional??? 
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There was the project of a small, inflatable wing aircraft ( precursor to Microlights ) in I think the 1950's, for the use of 'spies in the field'.
It was flown, the Test Pilot ( Boscombe ? Can't find it for the moment but sure it's in the excellent 'Test Pilots' by Don Middleton ) commented he was uneasy relying on a PSI guage as a guide to structural integrity.
It was known as The Durex Delta.
Edit; a little searching reveals it as the Miles Utility, prototype XK776 first flown by Peter Twiss at Bedford, 23rd Aug 1956 before going to Boscombe in the hands of Fairey Test Pilots.
There were at least 2 prototypes, the 2nd being XK781, so the thing must have done a fair bit of flying.
It was flown, the Test Pilot ( Boscombe ? Can't find it for the moment but sure it's in the excellent 'Test Pilots' by Don Middleton ) commented he was uneasy relying on a PSI guage as a guide to structural integrity.
It was known as The Durex Delta.
Edit; a little searching reveals it as the Miles Utility, prototype XK776 first flown by Peter Twiss at Bedford, 23rd Aug 1956 before going to Boscombe in the hands of Fairey Test Pilots.
There were at least 2 prototypes, the 2nd being XK781, so the thing must have done a fair bit of flying.
Last edited by Double Zero; 18th Apr 2011 at 09:11.
