'Caption Contest' #10 Under Way Til Tuesday Evening 3-3-09

 Another $20 in AirPigz funny money up for grabs to the winner of ‘Caption Contest' #10 (wow, into doubles digits already!). We could use a few more players, so maybe you could, like, tell your friends. Puleeeeze : )

 So, here's a pic that should be pretty easy to get creative with. Please deposit your funny caption in the ‘comments' area... and then, after we get all the submissions in by Tuesday evening at 9pm, we'll have open voting til Wednesday evening at 9pm when the winner will be cheerfully applauded!      

The rules:

1) Max of 2 submissions per person

2) Submissions go in 'comments'

3) Game ends Tuesday at 9pm EST

4) Keep it clean!

 Then, anyone who wants to cast their vote will be able to shortly after the 9pm Tuesday submission deadline. The voting will be open for 24 hours, til 9pm EST Wednesday.  The winner will then be posted within an hour of the end of the voting : )

 Be funny and have fun... have fun and be funny!

Back To The Future! 80% DH.2 Replica From Airdrome Aeroplanes

Skip to about 1:45 to get to the moving pictures and cool sounds

 OMGosh this little 80% scale replica of the Airco DH.2 from Airdrome Aeroplanes is some serious off-the-scale sweetness!  Maybe some of the cheapest flying for the future has just run into a new best friend... the past!  And now, here's your chance to make sure that a very affordable kit of this thing gets produced.

 Mr. Airdrome, Robert Baslee, the emperor of frugal WWI replicas has built this prototype DH.2 and is seriously considering making a $5,995 ‘introductory price' kit available. 

 When I talked to him on 2-28-09, he said he's looking for at least two more people to put $500 deposits downto ensure that there's enough interest to make the kit available (you get your money back if the project doesn't move forward). 

 You gotta watch the video of this cutie, it even sounds perfect!  The little single-seater is only 343lbs empty and is powered by a chunky sounding 40hp 4-stroke V-Twin from Valley Engineering.  A complete ‘premium' engine package, tailored directly to your airplane (DH 2 or any lightweight) can be had for $4,995 and includes a custom made prop.

 The DH.2 cruise is only about 50 mph, but this would have to be one of the most enjoyable little airplanes to scout around the allied territories with : ) 

 It's also a very cool feature that the outer wing panels are easily removable so the airframe can be easily transported.  If the economic troubles of the day didn't have me so beat down right now, I'd throw $500 at Robert as fast as I could!

AirPigz Podcast #3 - Interview With John Monnett Of Sonex Aircraft

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Sonex Aircraft president John Monnett at their Oshkosh, Wisconsin headquarters

 I met up with John Monnett at the Sonex Aircraft headquarters on the Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on Friday, February 20, 2009.  The 53 minute podcast gives some nice insight into the design philosophy behind the Sonex and Waiex airplanes which produces a flying machine that has both excellent low and high speed qualities... while also being extremely affordable and relatively easy to build.

  We also go over how John got involved in aviation, including the early years of primitive and expensive RC modeling.  And we talk about some of the influences that lead him to design the Sonerai airplanes back in the 70's.    John covers what the 'Sonex Workshops' are all about and why anyone considering building any kind of metal airplane can benefit from them.

 We talk quite a bit about the 80hp AeroVee VW conversion engine that they build.  It's the base engine recommended for Sonex airplanes, but also is very well suited to any airplane project in need of a lightweight and reliable powerplant.

 Lastly, John gives some interesting details on their development of a custom-built electric motor, controller and battery pack for making practical electric flight a dream that might actually come true!

Sonex, Waiex, and Xenos airplanes in the Sonex Aircraft showroom

The "Y" tail Waiex in flight

 

Typical AeroVee engine installation in a Sonex

John Monnett's AeroConversions modified VW engine: AeroVee 2180cc, 80hp, 161lbs. 

Sonex engineered and built electric motor, controller and battery pack nearing reality

 

On 1-7-09, the Waiex won the tongue-in-cheek AirPigz Homebuilt Of The Year award

Airline Passenger Comfort Poll: Would You Slow Down?

 This isn't a scientific poll, but I think it's a question worth asking.  And yes, I know that there's lots of variables that make it difficult to come up with an accurate answer. Please don't think it thru that much, just a quick and simple response.                 

 I know where I stand... I would definitely take a longer but much more enjoyable ride over the cramped fast one.  But I'd really like your input on this by taking the AirPigz passenger comfort poll - what's your answer to this question?

Would you ride a 400mph airliner over a 550mph one if it offered a lot more seat room and many additional cabin comforts and activities to take your mind off the time? Yes, I would seriously consider taking the comfort over the speed. No, getting there as fast as I can is the only thing that matters. View results Free vote poll

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter On The Leading Edge Of A Battle

Third F-35 JSF 'BF-2' made first flight February 25, 2009
Photo: Scott Fischer at Fence Check 

 

Original F-35 prototype 'AA-1'

 The top pic is of F-35 ‘BF-2', the second ‘B' model to be completed.  It flew for the first time February 25, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas making it the third F-35 prototype to fly. The ‘B' model is the short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant.  The bottom pic is the original prototype 'A' model which is (CTOL) conventional takeoff and landing and first flew December 15, 2006. 

 While the JSF program is moving forward, the aircraft might find itself going to battle much earlier than expected.  Our financial crisis may cause some in government to try to take a hatchet to the program.  I sure don't have all the answers, but I'm thinking this is a program we NEED.

 I'm all for watching where and how we spend taxpayer dollars, but the world isn't getting any nicer... but it is getting much more capable of building high-tech weapons.  I'm sure that's a game the planet still desperately needs us to be at the top of. 

 Here's an interesting UPI news story titled "Buying two engines for the F-35 wastes billions of dollars" that seems shows an easy way to save boatloads of cash without holding the JSF program back.  I don't think we've ever seen a more critical time for the United States to make absolutely sure that we continue to fund essential defense projects that will be effective at keeping as much peace as possible around the world.

'Caption Contest' #9 And A Two-Time Winner!

 It was just a few weeks back when twitter follower @Captain_Ron was draggin his toes in the dust cuz he thought he'd never win a 'Caption Contest' here at AirPigz.  Now look at him... he's a two-time winner!  Good job, and thanx for showing the world the fine art of persistence.        

 So, now he's already banked up $40 in Airpigz funny money that he'll be able to trade later in the year for cool aviation stuff.  Thanx to everyone for playing once again... and, I'd like to ask that you spread the word on the game, we need more av geeks getting in on the fun : )

More With The 'Wet Jets'...48 Seat HarborJet Concept

The HarborJet concept from Harbor Aviation

  That really cool video of the Convair F2Y Sea Dart I posted showed some intriguing jet-powered seaplane thinking from the 1950's... and now here's a sweet looking concept for today. It's the 48 seat HarborJet from Harbor Aviation based in the Seattle area.

 I think this concept looks truly viable for several reasons. First, there seems to be a lot of water on this planet, so it makes some pretty good sense to use it for runways every now and then.  Plus, unlike the great flying boats of the 30's and 40's, the HarborJet concept is amphibious, so you get the best of both worlds with this one. 

 Second, this design is formed around the idea of creating passenger comfort, with a lot more legroom and seat width than we typically find in transport aircraft today.  I know we've got all kinds of financial issues these days, and ‘affordable' passenger comfort seems to be a thing of the past, but I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that NOW is the time to bring back traveling comfort!

 There's a lot about this jet that just looks right to me.  It has a tri-hull design and an almost blended-body fuselage cross section that's intended to help control the water spray. With the turbofans mounted on vertical pylons attached to the outer hulls, you have a solid structure and the engines are isolated from the cabin.

 I know it's just a concept right now, but I think a unique commuter sized aircraft like this with the ability to serve many large cities around the country via rivers or bays is pretty cool.  And I think it would be a huge step in the right direction if they can find a way to make it economical enough that passengers could actually have greater comfort.  Maybe it's just me, but I'd absolutely travel slower if I could be more comfy along the way.  What about you?

 I didn't find very much info around the internet on this design, so I'm gonna see if the company will give me some details on where they are with it at this point.  Hopefully they're still moving forward...

1953 Wet Jet! Convair F2Y Sea Dart

 That the engineers even tried an idea like the Convair F2Y Sea Dart is pretty amazing to me... and it actually showed a surprising amount of promise (well at least compared to what seems like simply too much to ask of a jet powered aircraft).                  

 And while it did 'work', it just didn't have the power or functional success to get past prototypes.  But it's still a very interesting aviation achievement and makes for some really cool 1950's video to watch!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

'Caption Contest' #9 Is Off The Ground - Ends 9PM Tuesday 2-24-09

This is definitely one of those times when I wish I was getting to play the ‘Caption Contest' game instead of running it... I've got some really good ideas for this one!

 You've got til Tuesday at 9pm to submit your captions, then, like always, we'll have open voting for the winner for 24 hours from late Tuesday til 9pm EST on Wednesday night.

 And remember that the winner will get $20 in AirPigz funny money (be sure to click those words to finally find out what the funny money is all about!) 

 Here are the rules:

1) Max of 2 submissions per person 

2) Submissions go in 'comments' 

3) Game ends Tuesday at 9pm EST 

4) Keep it clean!

 Then, anyone who wants to cast their vote will be able to right after the 9pm Tuesday deadline. The voting will be open for 24 hours, til 9pm EST Wednesday. The winner will then be posted within an hour of the end of the voting : )

 This pic has some great possibilities, but please be careful where you go with it!

AirPigz Funny Money - Worth Slightly More Than The Paper It's Printed On!

 The treasurer of the 'Pig Pen' has authorized the printing of official AirPigz money in $5 and $20 denominations. You may already know that you can earn $20 in this currency by winning the ‘Caption Contest' played right here on the AirPigz site... and $5 by winning the AirPigz ‘Name The Plane' game.  NTP is actually played live and interactive at twitter.com/airpigz, and you can get updates on when the game is played by following @NameThePlane over on that there twitter thingy. 

 The big question tho is what can you do with AirPigz funny money? Unfortunately it won't buy you a Big Mac or pay your electron bill, but you will be able to trade your accumulated winnings for cool prizes at an AirPigz event that's gonna take place during Oshkosh 2009.

 The prizes aren't identified yet, and probably won't be til later in the year, but it should be some pretty sweet aviation stuff that you really want.

 The overall idea here is to encourage people to make sure they get to Oshkosh this year, and to attend a special AirPigz event that will take place one evening during the fly-in. Those details aren't worked out yet either, but it should be a very cool time for AirPigz fans and aviation-oriented twitter people to gather together and talk airplanes!

 I know that some people won't be able to make it to Oshkosh to trade their winnings, so right after the week is over, we'll open up the remaining prizes to be traded online. More details later as we get closer.

 So, you get to have fun playing a couple of nifty aviation related games online with AirPigz, and then you can take your winnings and get cool stuff for free during Oshkosh 09... I'm thinking smack dab!  So go ahead and tell some friends about what we've cooked up, and then mark your calendar for July 27 thru August 2 for Oshkosh 2009!