The Erection ~or~ How to get it up.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
The Erection ~or~ How to get it up.
"The overall airplane lift-to-drag ratio can be 10 to 30, depending on the configuration, whereas the maximum a helicopter can do is 4 to 6." ~ Prouty, Rotor & Wing Jan 99
The efficiency of a propeller is around 80%. I.e. 20% of the engine's power is lost as the propeller provides forward motion to the airplane and energy to the wing for lift.
The efficiency of a transmission is about 95%.
This means that an airplane is 200% to 600% more efficient than a helicopter.
This means that an elevator is 25% more efficient than an airplane.
This means that an elevator is 250% to 900% more efficient than a helicopter.
No longer is this true.
Introducing the world's newest air vehicle ~ The Erection
Our motto is ' If you build it they will come.'
The Erection consists of two wings, which are filled with hydrogen, and a fuselage. Two cables are the only means of connecting the three parts together.
When a cable is slack the connected wing will pitch up to vertical and quickly ascend.
When the cable is under tension the wing will pitch down to an angle for gliding descent.
A winch in the fuselage has two drums that each have a cable to one of the wings.
Before takeoff both winches pay out all of their cable.
They then wind the cable in, which raises the fuselage and drags down both wings.
When the cables are partially wound in, one winch will continue to reel-in its cable, while the other winch pays-out its cable and its wing ascends.
The winches then alternate in the winding in and paying-out of their cables.
The aircraft flys forward.
And now to do the very difficult Reverse-Houdini. Get back into my straight jacket.
The efficiency of a propeller is around 80%. I.e. 20% of the engine's power is lost as the propeller provides forward motion to the airplane and energy to the wing for lift.
The efficiency of a transmission is about 95%.
This means that an airplane is 200% to 600% more efficient than a helicopter.
This means that an elevator is 25% more efficient than an airplane.
This means that an elevator is 250% to 900% more efficient than a helicopter.
No longer is this true.
Introducing the world's newest air vehicle ~ The Erection
Our motto is ' If you build it they will come.'
The Erection consists of two wings, which are filled with hydrogen, and a fuselage. Two cables are the only means of connecting the three parts together.
When the cable is under tension the wing will pitch down to an angle for gliding descent.
A winch in the fuselage has two drums that each have a cable to one of the wings.
Before takeoff both winches pay out all of their cable.
They then wind the cable in, which raises the fuselage and drags down both wings.
When the cables are partially wound in, one winch will continue to reel-in its cable, while the other winch pays-out its cable and its wing ascends.
The winches then alternate in the winding in and paying-out of their cables.
The aircraft flys forward.
And now to do the very difficult Reverse-Houdini. Get back into my straight jacket.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 2
From: Sale, Australia
I get it
Most pilots are slack so it'll quickly ascend.
To get them down show them their pay check, thus causing tension.
Got it.
No I didnt - the pay check that is. Does that mean I'll be up here forever?
Most pilots are slack so it'll quickly ascend.
To get them down show them their pay check, thus causing tension.
Got it.
No I didnt - the pay check that is. Does that mean I'll be up here forever?
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Down Under
My Aerody is a little on the rusty side, but the way I see it, your theory is somewhat flawed.....
Please correct me if I am wrong, but won't the increase in thrust from the upper blade create additioanal tension down below, therefore leading to slack flapback, ultimately having the net effect of a decreased erection? Please, please tell me it isn't so!
AWBD
Please correct me if I am wrong, but won't the increase in thrust from the upper blade create additioanal tension down below, therefore leading to slack flapback, ultimately having the net effect of a decreased erection? Please, please tell me it isn't so!
AWBD
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
From: Port Townsend,WA. USA
Helium is rather expensive and hydrogen is a bit of a challenge as well.
How about a hot air balloon shaped more like a glider. The craft would ascend to 5000ft then glide down and forward several miles then repeat as needed to the destination.
Hmmm, this might actually work.
How about a hot air balloon shaped more like a glider. The craft would ascend to 5000ft then glide down and forward several miles then repeat as needed to the destination.
Hmmm, this might actually work.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Australia
The 'ERECTION'....
V - Very
I - Ingenious
A - Anti
G - Gravity
R - Rising
A - Aircraft
Actually Dave, the critical bit is where the cables will be attached to the wing... You may need the attachment point to be able to shift forward and aft when loaded and unloaded as the centre of pressure will have to change to allow the wing to pivot.
Scary thing is that I can actually see some bloke in this contraption with a pellet gun and an arm chair..... seen shortly thereafter on myth busters.
V - Very
I - Ingenious
A - Anti
G - Gravity
R - Rising
A - Aircraft
Actually Dave, the critical bit is where the cables will be attached to the wing... You may need the attachment point to be able to shift forward and aft when loaded and unloaded as the centre of pressure will have to change to allow the wing to pivot.
Scary thing is that I can actually see some bloke in this contraption with a pellet gun and an arm chair..... seen shortly thereafter on myth busters.
..well done
