NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

[First time Juke]

There was talk about a air racing class with very economical goal. Not yet defined.

Here are 2 Chilton DW1:s at Old Warden..with 30 hp engines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKQb8GMoUJM

Speed was not the only parameter discussed.

Planes could be sold after each race.

Discussion took place at the HBA site.

[AirDOGGe]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

There was talk about a air racing class with very economical goal. Not yet defined.

Here are 2 Chilton DW1:s at Old Warden..with 30 hp engines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKQb8GMoUJM

S.

Heh-heh. In a 25 mph headwind we might be able to see them in front of the home pylon for a long time, nearly hovering like helicopters as they struggle under full-throttle to keep from being blown backwards by Mother Nature. It could make for longer races!

[First time Juke]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

You are quite right Airdogge..I estimate mine to go like 125 mph at 15 hp. Weighs 65 kilos and looks like a Spitfire with Moni motorglider fuselage elements ( to put is shortly ). With a one gallon tank it will cruise 1hr45 min. Plane can be stored on a 9 feet shelve in pieces.



They don't necessarily have to race the course but the mountains and desert around and viewed simultaneously on a screen when the racers go 500 mph on the pylon track ?



Cheers !

Juke

[Pete]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden is not to be missed if you are in England. They have airshows a few times in the summer where they bring out one of a kind museum pieces and fly them.

thanks for the video

pete

[Reno_Steve]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

http://www.flysteam.co.uk/history.htm

This is the way this new class should be powered :-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_aircraft

Lets have the Steam Punk class. Get some style back into air racing.

[AirDOGGe]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

In all seriousness, an electric class is possible, technology-wise. You'd only need to carry enough battery capacity to last a 6-lap race plus a bit more, not a huge and heavy load as required for cross-country flight.

The airframes might be similar to the F1 class, but with a couple of feet more wingspan to deal with battery weight. Or sport-class size might be a better choice.

The energy source is probably the biggest expense, with the lightest Lithium batteries also being the costliest. Brushless motors using rare earth magnets are quite powerful and efficient for their size these days.

[First time Juke]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

In all seriousness, an electric class is possible, technology-wise. You'd only need to carry enough battery capacity to last a 6-lap race plus a bit more, not a huge and heavy load as required for cross-country flight.

The airframes might be similar to the F1 class, but with a couple of feet more wingspan to deal with battery weight. Or sport-class size might be a better choice.

The energy source is probably the biggest expense, with the lightest Lithium batteries also being the costliest. Brushless motors using rare earth magnets are quite powerful and efficient for their size these days.

I think the solarcells will do the job...weigh 2 lbs for a hp and need 11 sq ft..so a 70 sq ft has 6 hp..which is enough to fly...Stits Skeeto1 used only 3 hp for level flight in 1967.

[AirDOGGe]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

Enough to fly, yes. Fast enough to make for an exciting head-to-head race? I don't think so.


You'd need to use batteries to get enough current to drive a powerful enough electric motor(s).

I'm looking for 250-300 mph race velocities minimum (400-480 kph). No solar panel system can deliver enough juice for that requirement and still be small enough and light enough to install on the airframe.

[First time Juke]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

The class is not about absolute speed but economy as well..there has to be factor for speed too othervise the planes go 11 mph like the HPAs.

Burt Rutan might say..been there done that.

http://www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/rutan-model-54-quickie

[ignomini]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

I'm not sure I could even be bothered to cross a sidewalk to watch an electric airplane race.

[xmh53wrench]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

I'm not sure I could even be bothered to cross a sidewalk to watch an electric airplane race.

They could always carry an onboard p.a. system with a Merlin soundtrack.....

[AirDOGGe]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

Who wants to watch a solar-econo race? You could time the laps with a calendar!

They could always carry an onboard p.a. system with a Merlin soundtrack.....

Or the RARA could play old SKYFIRE race soundtracks over the PA system during the race.

[Reno_Steve]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

An electric class could end up faster than the ic aircraft, and I would definately cross the sidewalk to watch Rare Bear being lapped by a quiet electric plane being followed by a closing steam chugger.

A bit of variety in the races will always add interest.

[First time Juke]

Re: NEW AIR RACING CLASS ?

An electric class could end up faster than the ic aircraft, and I would definately cross the sidewalk to watch Rare Bear being lapped by a quiet electric plane being followed by a closing steam chugger.

A bit of variety in the races will always add interest.

Right we have no way of knowing how fast a purpose built electric racer can go...models go 200 km/h +. Solarpowered will be slow..since the wing area is too small or the cells inefficient..but only enough for flight at 60 mph.

http://www.electravia.fr/mc15eEng.php