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Sherman Mills Fairchild: Aviation Inventor and Entrepreneur

Editor — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:21:45 +0000

Born in Oneonta, New York, on April 7, 1896, Sherman Mills Fairchild made a major contribution to the development of the aviation industry with his many inventions. An astute businessman, Fairchild founded more than seventy companies, including the Fairchild Aviation Corporation, the parent company for many of his aviation-related firms. In addition to designing and building aircraft, Fairchild developed aerial photography for commercial and military use, with his inventions for aerial photography being used on NASA Apollo missions 15, 16 and 17.

Some of Sherman’s earliest airplane designs were inspired by the need for an aircraft that could accommodate the aerial photography he was working on. At the time he had been using a World War I Fokker D.VII biplane, with which he undertook his first aerial mapping of a major city – Newark, New Jersey. This proved to be such a success that he was appointed by the Laurentide Paper Company to perform aerial mapping of Canada in 1923. This was followed by an aerial map of Manhattan Island, which led to other cities using aerial mapping as a less expensive, and quicker, alternative to ground surveying. Frustrated by the fact that existing planes lacked the maneuverability that aerial photography required, Fairchild formed the Fairchild Aviation Corporation, based in Long Island, and designed and built the FC-1. The company built and delivered 300 FC-2, the production model of the FC-1, between 1927 and 1930 and during this time, and in subsequent years, Fairchild dominated the aviation industry.

While Fairchild formed, merged, split, sold and rebought his companies over the years, he continued to make significant contributions to the rapidly advancing technology of aviation. His PR-19 was the aircraft of choice for training military pilots prior to World War II, while the aptly nick-named “Flying Boxcar”, the C-82, was used for military transport. Other notable aircraft included the C-119 Flying Boxcar, of which more than 1,100 were produced, the C-123 Provider, and the A-10 Thunderbolt – nicknamed the “Warthog”.

Sherman Mills Fairchild was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1979. He had also been awarded fellowships in the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences, and received recognition for his accomplishments from the Smithsonian Institution.

Carbon Fiber Composites in Aviation

Editor — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 07:14:34 +0000

As the aviation industry attempts to reduce fuel costs by reducing the weight of aircraft, lightweight composite materials with extraordinary strength continue to be developed and improved. Carbon-fiber composites have been created that can match the strength of titanium and aluminum, while being much lighter in weight, to the extent that aircraft using these composites materials can weigh of up 20 percent less than they would otherwise. Both the Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 contain carbon-fiber composites.

Researchers looking at creating even stronger and lighter materials are working with carbon fibers that are coated with carbon nanotubes. When arranged in specific configurations, these tiny tubes of crystalline carbon are hundreds of times stronger than steel while being only around one-sixth of the weight of steel. Until recently scientists faced the problem that when growing carbon nanotubes on carbon fibers the underlying fibers have lost some of their strength. The root cause of this fiber degradation has been identified by a team of researchers from MIT, and techniques have been devised to preserve the strength of these fibers.

Associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, Brian Wardle, notes that up until now one part of the material was being improved at the expense of the underlying fiber, but the new technique does away with this trade-off situation, with both the carbon nanotubes and carbon fibers maintaining their integrity.

Upon visiting carbon-fiber production plants in Germany, Japan and Tennessee, researchers found that the manufacture process required fibers to be stretched close to breaking point and heated to high temperatures, which had not been replicated in laboratory conditions. Upon replicating these conditions in the laboratory and carrying out a series of experiments it was discovered that the main cause of fiber degradation was a mechanochemical reaction resulting from a lack of tension when heating carbon fibers at a high temperature.

Having identified the problem, researchers coated the carbon fiber with a layer of alumina ceramic to ensure the iron catalyst would stick to the fiber but not degrade it. However, the alumina kept flaking off. Undaunted, the research team developed a polymer coating with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic components and coated the fibers with it, allowing them to grow nanotubes without damaging the fiber. Further experiments resulted in growing nanotubes at lower temperatures, thereby avoiding damage to the underlying fiber. Patents have been filed for the nanotube growing techniques and hopes are high that these new composite materials will have a wide range of applications in the aerospace industry.

Denton Airshow 2013

Editor — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:21:07 +0000

This exciting event will showcase many of the best civilian aerobatic performers available today, including the Texas Twisters, Adam Baker Pits, Flight of the Phoenix and Trojan Phlyers. Static displays will include vintage and classic aircraft. Entertainment, helicopter rides and flights in the B-25 are part of the program. For more information visit denton.schultzairshows.com

Date: 15 June 2013
Venue: Denton Enterprise Airport
City: Denton
State: Texas
Country: United States

Great Lakes International Air Show 2013

Editor — Wed, 29 May 2013 15:23:13 +0000

The highlight of this year’s event will be the Team Oracle Challenger III (the world’s most high performance aerobatic aircraft) flown by Sean D Tucker. Other features of the program include the Snowbirds Demonstration Team, the North American Harvard and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. For more information visit greatlakesinternationalairshow.ca/

Date: 28-30 June 2013
Venue: St Thomas Municipal Airport
State: Ontario
Country: Canada

FAA Reviewing Passenger Use of Electronic Devices

Editor — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:59:40 +0000

With electronic devices firmly entrenched as part of daily lives for many travelers, airlines are under pressure to allow passengers to use their tablets, laptops, smartphone, e-readers and other devices without restriction during flights. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been working on a set of regulations to govern the use of these devices on airplanes, but is reportedly far from ready to put any new rules into action, with the delay being attributed to the authority’s desire to put into place a concise set of regulations to deal with current, and even future, technology.

A year ago, the industry working group set up by the FAA noted that, faced with evolving electronic technology, the FAA was reviewing the use of personal electronic devices, excluding the use of cellphones, on aircraft. A full year later the FAA appears to be no closer to resolving the issue and this has drawn sharp criticism from some quarters. Among the critics is Senator Clair McCaskill (D-MO) who recently announced her plans to circumvent the FAA and introduce legislation allowing passengers the freedom to use their electronic devices throughout a flight.

The increasing number of different types of electronic devices brought by passengers onto airplanes is adding to the difficulty of drafting a set of standard regulations. The FAA working group needs to include all these devices and take into account the different modes of operation they offer. Currently a number of electronic devices include an “airplane mode” option, which generally means that they do not send or receive wireless signals, but this is not necessarily standard across all devices with this option. Also, there is concern that FAA’s desire to have rules that will apply to devices of the future may not be realistic given the speed at which technology is developing. The group has apparently also noted concerns over expecting already busy flight attendants to police the use of various devices.

The initial concern with the use of electronic devices on flights addressed, among other things, the issue of possible interference with electronic signals pilots rely on for safe flight. To date, the FAA reportedly has no record of aviation accidents caused by interference from personal electronic devices. Flight attendants note that their main concern is that passengers should not be using electronic devices when the safety measures are presented at the beginning of the flight, as they need to hear and understand what should be done in the event of an emergency.

The FAA anticipates a final report from the working group later this year, with rule changes being implemented by the end of 2013.

Proposed Heathrow Expansion Debated

Editor — Tue, 07 May 2013 09:06:52 +0000

As the call for the expansion of London Heathrow Airport grows more insistent, with high-profile entrepreneur Richard Branson adding his voice to the debate, resident groups that will be affected by the noise caused by an increase in air traffic are raising their objections. Representing more than five million people, the 2M Group is an all-party alliance consisting of twenty-four local authorities investigating the impact the proposed Heathrow expansion will have on their communities and the environment.

Heathrow is the United Kingdom’s busiest airport and as of 2012 was rated as the third busiest airport in the world. Its economic impact on London is enormous as it provides up to 76,600 jobs directly and indirect employment to as many as 116,000 people. Taking into account that a significant number of global corporations have offices with easy access to the airport has resulted in Heathrow being classed as a modern aerotropolis – an urban area with its infrastructure, layout and economy being centered on an airport.

Back in 2009 when it was announced by the UK Transport Secretary that the government was in favor of expanding Heathrow’s capacity by building a third 2,200-meter runway and an additional terminal, bringing the total number of terminals to six, the proposal was opposed by groups who expressed concern regarding carbon emissions, noise and air pollution and the impact this would have on local communities. Prior to the 2010 General Election the expansion at Heathrow became a political issue with both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives making it known that they oppose the expansion of Heathrow, and the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, supports constructing a new airport in the Thames Estuary to meet London’s growing air travel needs. Following the elections, it was announced that the proposal of a third runway had been cancelled.

While the proposal to build a new airport on what has been dubbed as “Boris Island” would likely be the most practical from the point of view of dealing with future increases in air traffic, as well as avoiding additional noise and pollution in highly populated areas, the cost of an estimated £30 billion or more is a sizable stumbling block. Also, if the airport was to replace Heathrow, rather than just supplement it, the ripple effect would be devastating for the people and businesses in London relying on the airport for their livelihood.

Branson was recently reported as saying that Britain needed a government that is brave enough to take a decision regarding the airport expansion, and then to just “get on with it”, suggesting that private-sector investment would be the way to fund the venture. His proposal includes building two more runways at Heathrow as soon as possible, while considering other options. However, the government is waiting on the Davies Commission which, under the leadership of former Financial Services Authority boss Sir Howard Davies, is examining all options for expanding Heathrow’s capacity with final findings expected in the summer of 2015.

Thunder on the Lakeshore 2013

Editor — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:56:38 +0000

One of the featured acts of Thunder on the Lakeshore 2013 is the Detroit chapter of the Tuskeegee Airmen of WWII flying their motor-gliders and an historic T34 aircraft. Other performers include John Mohr with some spectacular Barnstorming and 4 and 8 point rolls, Fowler Cary performing aerobatics with his T-33A, Jim Maroney, Bob Davis, Team Aerostar and more. For more information on this exciting, family-fun event visit www.manitowocairshow.com

Dates: 8-9 June 2013
Gates open: 08h00
Venue: Manitowoc County Airport
City: Manitowoc
State: Wisconson
Country: United States

North Bay Armed Forces Day 2013

Editor — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:45:14 +0000

Showing appreciation for the Canadian Armed Forces and the United States Air Force this event will include a spectacular aerial performance by Canadian Forces Snowbird Demonstration Team at 12h15. Other features on the event include musical performances from 8 Wing Trenton Pipes and Drums Band and 22 Wing North Bay Concert Band, as well as displays of military vehicles, weapons and equipment. For more information visit www.cityofnorthbay.ca

Date: 5 June 2013
Times: 11:00-13:00
Venue: North Bay Waterfront
City: North Bay
State: Ontario
Country: Canada

VTOL X-Plane Development Challenge

Editor — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:54:38 +0000

As aviation technology continues to develop at breakneck speed, the goal of producing aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities, that can fly as fast as a fixed-wing airplane may soon become a reality. This has been achieved to some degree with the tiltrotor technology of the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey, where lift and propulsion are generated by proprotors mounted on engine pods at the ends of a fixed wing. Take off is facilitated by the rotors being angled horizontally as a helicopter rotor works, but as the aircraft gains speed, the rotors tilt forward until they are vertical, allowing the aircraft to reach higher speeds than a conventional helicopter. An Australian company recently announced that it is developing an aircraft which can transition between VTOL and fixed-wing modes with what it calls StopRotor Technology.

The company’s new RotorWing design reportedly aligns the airflow with rotation axis of the rotor while the aircraft is in flight, thereby creating a stable flight profile allowing the smooth transition from one mode of flight to the other. In a statement announcing the new concept, the company noted that the it is a “paradigm shift involving flight well beyond the limitations of conventional fixed and rotary wing flight”, going on to say that it “requires a new way of thinking”.

A patent application has been lodged for the new StopRotor, and the company is currently using flying models and computer simulations to test the concept, which was inspired by the VTOL X-Plane program announced in February by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The DARPA VTOL X-Plane project is dedicated to developing VTOL aircraft with greater hover and cruise efficiency, larger payload capacity, and higher speeds than current aircraft – the performance standard being set at greater than 300 knots, which is almost double the speed of the fastest helicopter today. Project leader Ashish Bagai noted that it was hoped that the project would “spark a paradigm shift”. DARPA is putting $150 million into developing the X-Plane which would prove valuable in search and rescue missions, surveillance, transportation of troops and other difficult to reach situations requiring swift response time.

Waterloo Air Show 2013

Editor — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 14:41:53 +0000

Highlights of the program for the Waterloo Air Show include performances by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, CF-18 Demonstration Team Jet Aircraft Museum T-33 “Mako Shark”, Jane Wicker Wing Walker, Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, Kent Pietsch and the Interstate Cadet, Gord Price & the Yak 50 and more. There will also be static displays, entertainment and refreshments. For more information visit waterlooairshow.com

Dates: 1-2 June 2013
City: Waterloo
State: Ontario
Country: Canada