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TAM 5 Has landed

Posted by Hemos on from the the-little-plane-that-could dept.

bzant writes "TAM 5 The model airplane, (see our previous story), has successfully landed in Ireland. This was the second plane they launched. Other than some slow speeds and a concern over a lean fuel mixture the flight seemed to go as planned."

2 of 219 comments (clear)

  1. Fantastic by cybermace5 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    After several thousand years of persistent research and development, we have finally upstaged the carrier pigeon. Too bad that, in the meantime, radio was developed.

    Seriously though, it's a great accomplishment. Sure, the military or decent-sized corporation could and have done this without breaking a sweat. Yet the general public has an important role here: pushing technology further ahead. It isn't futile to do things the leaders have already done, because it forces them to keep innovating that much more. Inspiration for all the hobbyists out there!

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  2. Hell of an achievement. by dr.Flake · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Reading some of the commentairies I get the fealing not everybody graps the full level of the achievements made here.

    Imagine having to make / design one of these suckers yourself!

    what do you need:

    Plane (duh)
    Controls: GPS, computer, satelite link!, electric controls + receiver, battery etc
    fuel!!!: lots of it. its only like 3000 miles or so. (40 hours of flying)

    now fit it within these specs to be able to call it a "model airplane":
    max 5 kg
    max size 2x2 meter
    max engine cap. 0.6c
    (there are several more limitations)

    Hope every one graps the achievement here.

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    Why are other peoples sig's always more witty ???