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Archive for August 6th, 2009
New FAA Administrator Meets EAAers
6, Aug 2009Newly appointed FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt projected the calm assurance of a seasoned agency veteran during his various presentations at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009.
Lunar Orbiter V Image of "Full Earth"
6, Aug 2009LOIRP Releases Recovered Lunar Orbiter V Image of “Full Earth” “This image of Earth was taken on 8 August 1967 at 09:05:11 GMT by the Lunar Orbiter V spacecraft in orbit around the Moon at an altitude of 5,872.85 km. This image has been described as being the first image ever taken of a “full Earth” from space. Lunar Orbiter V was launched on 1 August 1967 arrived in a nearly polar orbit on 5 August at 12:48 p.m. EDT. Images were taken between 6-19 August and were sent back to Earth on 27 August 1967. It is easy to make out a number of geographic features in this image. In addition, you can see that the detail of the clouds – especially over the Indian Ocean is much greater in this image. Further processing of this image should yield even greater detail.”
Oh, to be the head of the Presidential Task Force on Automobiles (PTFOA). First, you have to pretend that you’re not running not one but two nationalized American automakers. Hands-on, hands-off, hands-on! Next, you have to beat off failing automotive suppliers with a baseball bat (so to speak). Automotive News [sub] reports that PTFOA jefe
Sailing and Harnessing Wind and Water
6, Aug 2009The wind and water are moving in the same direction on a calm and clear day. Movement is difficult in this situation as there is not a godo amount of energy to be extraced. The wind and water together create a difference in motion, which is then captured by the boat in energy. The sailboat captures this energy by utilizing the sail(s) and the hull(s). The apparent or relative wind is a direct result of the difference in motion between the sailboat direction and the wind direction. A sail uses this apparent wind and generates lift. This is an example of an airfoil, and using Bernoulli’s Principle the airfoil creates lift much like an airplane does. In fact, depending on the orientation of the sailboat, its point of sail, and its design it could conceivably obtain a speed faster than the true windspeed. The boat will be able to move about in the water by utilizing the sail. A boat in the water must not only be able to move, but be able to change directions. To help direct the boat an underwater component is required, such as a centerboard, underwater foil, keel, or even the hull itself can be employed. The boat can move in any direction, except into the wind, with the underwater component and sail. The tacking angle, the angle of the boat’s movement relative to the true wind, usually ranges between 35 and 80 degrees. Using a 35 degree tacking angle, on either side of the wind, a sailboat could cover over 290 degrees of the boat compass . Sailing into the wind can be accomplished indirectly by sailing close-hauled, about 45 degrees, and then tacking and sailing in a zigzag fashion. The sail and underwater component of the boat work together in a prime example to move in a specific direction. Understanding the dynamics between capturing and using the energy from the motions of wind and water can help answer the following questions: 1)How do sailboats move? 2)How can a sailboat sail upwind? 3) How will a boat sail faster than the wind? Most sailors are not physicists but they are undoubtedly cognizant of the physical principles that govern basic movements in the water when sailing . A boat and its crew would be dead in the water if it wasn’t for these principles. Bookmark It Hide Sites
- In: Boat
- Tags: along-the-river, development, energy, hull, power, river, stumble-upon, until-the-boat, wind
A new motor boat designed in Tunisia
6, Aug 2009After a year of preparations and studies, a new motor boat , designed by Hedy Kardous the Vannes boat designer of Tunisian origin, and drawn by the naval architect, Vincent Lauriot Prévost, is currently under construction in Tunisia. …
- In: Boat
- Tags: black-flag, currently-under, fireworks, kardous, kardous-the-vannes, naval, the-naval, vincent
UK car sales grow for first time in 15 months
6, Aug 2009Scrappage scheme sparks rise in UK new car sales
Mazda MX-5 Superlight Concept Car
6, Aug 2009Mazda is to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Mazda MX-5/Miata roadster with the release of a special-edition Mazda Miata. The Miata, as the MX-5 is named in Japan will, however, be a JDM special and will be available (only in Japan) in two varieties: an RS soft-top with a 6-speed manual transmission, and a VS retractable hard-top with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Both vehicles only get cosmetic makeovers so we don’t miss out on much, other than the Crystal White Pearl Mica paint, black and red RECARO bucket sport seats, extra cabin padding, clear front fog lights, a strut tower brace, and 20th anniversary badging. The rest of us will get a chance to marvel at the Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car which will make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. This extra light-weight version of the Mazda MX-5 has been designed at Mazda’s studio in Frankfurt, Germany to improve handling, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions. The ‘radical’ design of the concept car features no windscreen! As yet, no details have been released on the concept car’s engine and drivetrain. [Source: Mazda]
- In: Automobile
- Tags: anniversary, concept, crystal, crystal-white, detroit-auto, door-confused, engine, frankfurt, japan, mazda, pearl-mica, super-charged, the-automaker, two-years
Additionally, Regularly ask to take the boat out for a test drive to be sure that it operates well before you complete the transaction. When possible it is a good idea to demand from a mechanic to look over the boat motor or engine to …
- In: Boat
- Tags: atlantic, boat-motor, caribbean, complete-the-transaction, good-idea, look-over, open, operates-well, regularly, test-drive, the-open, transaction
The Pebble Beach Concorso Italiano is promoting the fact that they will assemble a world record number of Ferrari 288 GTOs (more than 12). It got me thinking: what happened to the good ol’ days of driving fast for no good reason to set a Guinness world record? Or for that matter driving fast after having
- In: Automobile
- Tags: car, concorso-italiano, engine, european, ferrari, good-reason, lasting, optimistic-on-timing, pebble-beach, private, world-record
Audi A5 Sportback – Web Exclusive
6, Aug 2009Audi A5 Sportback – Web Exclusive New five-door A5 Sportback range now open for order. -New five-door A5 Sportback range now open for order – Standard, SE and S line models priced from 25,440 OTR to 36,220 OTR will reach their first UK customers in October -Thanks to extended wheelbase A5 Sportback offers head and leg room comparable with A4 Saloon and luggage capacity of up to 980 liters that runs A4 Avant close -Two FSI petrol and two common rail TDI diesel engines bound for the UK initially – 2.0 TFSI 211PS, 3.2 FSI 265PS, 2.0 TDI 170PS, 3.0 TDI 240PS -Latest efficiency-enhancing start-stop and energy recuperation technology for 2.0 TDI manual version -Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system available for all models including option of acclaimed sport differential for 3.2 FSI quattro and 3.0 TDI quattro versions Photo Gallery: Audi A5 Sportback – Celebrating 100 Years Of Audi – European Car Magazine Photo Gallery: Audi A5 Sportback – Celebrating 100 Years Of Audi – European Car Magazine Read More | Digg It | Add to del.icio.us