PlasticPilot.net

Search more, you’ll find more. This principle perfectly applies to aviation resources on the web. I use to bookmark interesting aviation sites to later share them on this blog. There is a drawback in doing that: the list grows quickly, and I don’t want to turn this blog into “PlasticSurfer”. So here is the first “Best of the aviation web” post, other will follow, probably twice a month.

For this first issue of “Best of the aviation web”, we have a personal flying wing, a new fuel, a co-pilot and photographer blog, a comparison of airlines seats pitch, and a plane flying 100 miles with a single gallon of fuel (someday…).

Flying Wing
This is pack-pack glider has been developed for military reasons, extending the range of parachute operations, and even giving the soldiers an escape chance, when the jet-powered (!) version will be available. This present version has on-board oxygen and a glide ratio of 5.1. It can carry weapons, and is sufficiently maneuverable to fly between the Eiffel Tower legs at 135 MPH. Read more about it here.

New Fuel
Swift is working towards a solution to replace the aviation gasoline used for light aircraft piston engines, a.k.a. AVGAS. The advantages presented on their website include:

• Seamless replacement of 100LL (no engine modifications)
• 15-25% increase in range over 100LL (no oxygenates)
• 20% drop in pollutants over the current 100LL fuel
• 15% more volumetric energy than 100LL
• No need for stabilizers or additives

Sounds too good to be true ? Read more here.

Pilot / Photographer blog
If you like richly illustrated blogs about being an airline co-pilot and serious air-shows (and other events) photographer, Rant Air is a must. This particular link goes to photos of the Air Bull Air Race in San Diego.

Airline pitch comparison
This is not a sponsored link, the editor of geekabout.com simply sent it to me, and as a tall guy, I finds it really relevant. If you don’t understand what “pitch” means when referring to airlines, it’s a simple story: the space between seats ! This post summarizes what various airlines are offering, helping you to better compare what you’re buying. A must for long flights ! Click here to read more about it.

100 MPG Plane
The Comparative Aircraft Flight Efficiency (CAFE) foundation organizes its yearly aviation technology challenge. The 2008 edition will take place from 2nd to 10th of August in Santa Rosa, California. Developers of new super-efficient aircraft can take part to various contests, with total prizes of 300′000 US$ (thank you NASA…). If you’re a fan of experimental and low consumption aircraft, you must pay a visit to the CAFE foundation.