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Transatlantic Model Airplane Flight to Begin Shortly

Posted by michael on from the scramble-the-fighters dept.

dtmos writes "An update on this old story -- Maynard Hill's attempt to fly an 11-lb. model airplane across the Atlantic (from Newfoundland to Ireland) is due to begin tomorrow night, Newfoundland time. This would be the first transatlantic flight by a true model under FAI rules (this plane was too large to qualify). News and updates, background information, some technical info."

7 of 164 comments (clear)

  1. The real question is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    does it run Linux and is the software open-sourced ? If not, we're not interested.

  2. Good luck by PhysicsGenius · · Score: 2, Troll
    A tiny plane like a model will never make it across the Atlantic because airplanes don't scale down. Lift (==control) rises as the square of the size whereas weight rises as the cube. So when you have a tiny plane it is mostly lift. Which sounds great, except that human reaction times and amounts are grossly oversized to control something so unstable. Flying around the backyard is fine, choppy winds and extensive times are another.

    And don't even get me started on the inadequacy of the power source to last that long. Crazy dreamer.

    1. Re:Good luck by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

      Yo, PhysicsDUMBASS! It's already been done by a 13.2kg (29 lbs, ya fuckhead)takeoff weight 'model'. Read the entire article before you stick your dick in your mouth.

  3. amazing by tps12 · · Score: 0, Troll

    I'm continually stunned by what mankind can accomplish in this day and age. A century ago, crossing the Atlantic meant going by steamship. A century before that it meant sailing, and hoping you weren't boarded by pirates. A few centuries before that it was impossible! Now we can do it with a model airplane; what next?

    This is truly a technological tour de force. If anyone has any doubts as to the future of humanity, I suggest they need look no further. We are thriving, healthy, and accomplishing more than any species ever has before. I would do anything to see what we'll do a century from now...hey, if things keep going as well as they have been, I might still be around!

    --

    Karma: Good (despite my invention of the Karma: sig)
  4. From the April 2001 /. postings by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Private cruise missles now possible (Score:4)
    by Anonymous Coward on 02:22 PM April 29th, 2001 (#257923)
    Now it is possible for individuals or small groups to build private cruise missiles. Think of a high tech version of Black Sunday... or imagine what would happen to the United States if someone flew a 1000lb pilotless bomb into the 2002 Oscars!

  5. Ok and by xbrownx · · Score: 1, Troll

    This is important how?

    Is some great scientific breakthrough being made?

    What are the implications and how can this be used in the future?

  6. Re:PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    hey thanks matey. I followed you suggestions and got talking to this nice girl. And guess what? we have a
    date this Friday. Woo Hoo!!!. Now I just need to lose
    300 pounds and wash the cum out of my hair