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Old July 2nd 08, 05:38 AM posted to rec.aviation.homebuilt
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Default Rocket Racing League First Exhibition Race August 1st and August2nd, 2008

On Jun 30, 6:50�am, DABEAR wrote:
On Jun 29, 10:34�am, Ron Wanttaja wrote:

So...is RRL going to do a hurried transfer of these airplanes to some other
Experimental category, or is some of their time for flying off their
restrictions going to in front of 500,000 people at Oshkosh?


Ron Wanttaja


Saw one in ground test at Mojave many months ago so its aerial work
should be well underway. �The progress of the second aircraft will be
an issue.

Their two top pilots including Rick Searfoss are tagged with the
demonstration flights based on a previous press release.

Reno is a dangerous location to fly. �Folks may have to get up early
to witness any flying there due to the Sierra Wave factor. �Mornings
are usually calm.

They'll be trying to put gliders down on fixed runways when those
aircraft need something more in the way of a dry lake. �Unless they
found a way to put power on for landing, they're at the whim of
turbulence and winds in the area, and a few years back (2002), Brent
Hisey got pushed off the runway centerline during a landing attempt
and nearly got himself killed in the North American P-51D Mustang
"Miss America." �They aircraft was technically "destroyed," yet Hisey
managed to rebuild her and by the following year, won the Silver at
Stead. �Two miracles in one year from that guy.

If the idea is to turn those aircraft around within one hour for the
racing they have planned, and if their designs accomodate such a slow
"Pit Stop" feature, then they should be able to accumulate enough
hours if their are no mishaps during the flight test and performance
period.

However, those craft will need the most experienced pilots in the
World because in my opinion, what they're planning to do in the
landing phase without an open area like a Dry Lake in a Desert Region
(known for unpredictable dust devils [tore an International Formula
One air racer apart in flight killing the pilot], tremendous heat,
severe crosswinds, headwinds and tailwinds, dangerous updrafts and
downdrafts and Wave-produced turbulence) could prove to be the most
dangerous issue of their flights; moreso than the climb to altitude
under full power.


i would love to know just what Stead Field you have been going to over
the last years. You are certainly not describing the one I know.