Global Flyer Success

"Bob Kuykendall" wrote ...
Earlier, T o d d P a t t i s t wrote:

The main problem is that it's hard to pressurize a leaky
cockpit without an engine.

A couple years ago when I was putting together a business plan for a
Perlan competitor I did design studies and a couple of low-dollar
experiments that explored several ways of reducing leakage to very
managable rates. Given those leakage rates, it seemed quite feasable to
supply pressurization from compressed gas reservoirs for a twelve-hour
flight profile.

Many years ago, here in Western Washington, someone was cold molding a
glider fuselage out of rosewood veneers. He was going to pressurize it and
use it to set high altitude records. I don't know what became of the
project.

Rich

Earlier, Richard Isakson wrote:

Many years ago, here in Western
Washington, someone was cold molding a
glider fuselage out of rosewood veneers.
He was going to pressurize it and use it
to set high altitude records. I don't
know what became of the project.

At a guess, I'd say that the man was Robert Lamson, and the aircraft
was the Alcor. It was eventually used as a research aircraft in the
Chinook project, flown on those missions by Tony Burton. It currently
hangs in the Seattle Museum of Flight.

I spoke with Tony Burton about the pressurization system when he gave a
talk on the Chinook project at the SHA Western Workshop '04. It was
based on an A-14 pressure-demand regulator and a modified mask.
Unfortunately, the pressurization system never was disabled for the
Chinook project; apparently the cockpit sealing wasn't effective
enough.

I think that the Chinook project is also discussed in the Ursula Weise
book _Stalking the Mountain Wave_.

Thanks, and best regards to all

Bob K.
http://www.hpaircraft.com

"Bob Kuykendall" wrote ...

At a guess, I'd say that the man was Robert Lamson, and the aircraft
was the Alcor. It was eventually used as a research aircraft in the
Chinook project, flown on those missions by Tony Burton. It currently
hangs in the Seattle Museum of Flight.

It's been a long time but that sure sounds right. Thanks Bob.

Rich

Todd Pattist wrote:

As I suspect you know, it's usually
referred to as "dynamic soaring."

Radio control glider guys use this technique on
upslope lift and the resulting shear layer to get
phenomenal speeds (250 mph+).

Dave 'if I wanted to fly in circles I'd fly control line' Hyde