To:
From:
Francis X. Gentile
http://www.projectfestoon.com/
I am looking for a Cessna 172 and a pilot, probably an instructor.
172N's and M's seem to be most available.
The total number of ground and flight work is uncertain at this time.
The Contest Participants are to video record there efforts for a possible television
documentary.
Time Period of Contest
August 4th thru August 12, 2007
The purpose is the CAFE-NASA Centennial of Flight contest.
http://cafefoundation.org/v2/pav_pavchallenge_rules.php
Tasks of Note:
June 1st:
Fiberglass Wing Cuffs to be submitted to CAFE:
This involves covering the wing with some protection and putting fiberglass
over the wing into a c shape.
http://cafefoundation.org/v2/pdf_pav/PAV.Wing.Cuff.Build.pdf
Aircraft Information and Documents
Pilot Information and Documents
After June 1st:
Some of the aspects of Project Festoon would be tested and prepared for the
contest, see site above.
This is a revisitation of procedure, and some test flights.
http://www.projectfestoon.com/
During Contest:
Efficiency Contest: utilizing carb heat for atomization, open throttle, lean
mixtures and optimum airspeeds.
Short Runway,Noise, Top Speed Contests.
P.S. Here is Theory Assessment version 1.1 ….
I read about the MPG requirement, and it occurs as a minimum during the Efficiency Challenge, but by then we will have calculated and tested our combinations of seating, load, and speed versus consumption etcetera. So we wouldn’t be knocked out of the larger competition if we get our calcs right, we would ultimately have to slow down and lose points, but it does not appear to be a show stopper?
On the Powerflow Site, as you said I did not find reference to the 30 degree flap and increased gross, although I did see press releases about it on Google. It appears that your older “classic” installation is superior in noise reduction and power as compared to the new short stack. There is fibreglass cuff option, do you have one of those? I will call the company on Monday to see what going on.
I looked at the Garmin Site and the GEM site. I did not quite figure out which one measures fuel flow, this will be the key instrument in developing the efficiency tactics. And the Gem would be key in finding optimum leaning without detonation. The Garmin can count for points in “pilot workload”, and possibly “all weather capability” perhaps more if hooked up to a roll input of an autopilot . For your Efficiency piloting, it would help not getting off course. Wether the data logging features of these instruments is worth the cost remains to be seen, If the fuel flow guage has high instant resolution all the test points could be done in one flight called out on a audio recorder.
If I could find a strap on sythetic vision sponsor, that might get a few more points.
To optimize the shortest runway prize, and the points under ease of use, some kind of AOA is desirable.
A commercial one may be available for temporary installation by purchasing
a second wing inspection panel and running some plastic tubing.
info: http://home.hiwaay.net/~sbuc/journal/liftreserve-pg2.htm . I have talked
to the manufacturer and he says I can get one for free because he lent one to
CAFÉ for testing some years ago, and they never tested it or gave it
back to him, he is pissed off , so if I can drag it out of CAFÉ it is
ours to use. This model only covers the slower speed range.
For the cruise speed AOA, one can be made from an airspeed indicator in a fashion
similar to the “Liftreserve” or the more primative yarn type AOAs
are contemplated.
AOA, along with procedure aides and the plastic instrument panel overlay etc.
at the Project Festoon website could lead to Points available under:
A. Ergonomics Flight Deck
B. eCFI capablilities (ours would need no batteries, ha ha)
C. Pilot Workload
D.Crew and Passenger Safety points could be gained from the Festoon elements alone, other elements to challenge for these points are:
1.Fire resistant clothing and and helmets, I have done some work here and looking to the Harry Hurts helmet lab to help . The Genentech helmets cost a fortune and provide minimal protection compared to 20 dollar scooter helmets, so I have some plans to do better there. Cost information is to be part of the contest submitted information, although it is not directly judged I think. Cheapness being admirable in this contest….
2.Seat belt upgrades and or seat belt airbags are worth some points, I havent looked at prices for those. Could be related to crew and passenger comfort points.
3.Fuel system crash resistance upgrades probably are not allowed as un-certified, unless the army or airforce actually applied those standards and got them certified somewhere. This would typically consist of flexible fuel lines with “frangible” mountings and breakaway bulkhead connectors. Probably out of our league to accomplish? I have sewn some external containment bags, but I don’t see much application in the wet wing 172.
Here is the Project Festoon website in all of its grandiose dreams:
http://www.projectfestoon.com/
Do these look correct for your 172 ?
Part Details for K0513093-1
Click to enlarge
Part Description:
RH INSTRUMENT PANEL
For Models:
172M,N,P
Color:
Black
Part price:
$98.10
Part Details for K0513094-3
Click to enlarge
Part Description:
LH INSTRUMENT PANEL
For Models:
172M,N,P
Color:
Black
Part price:
$112.12
You can make paper calculators and wear helmets and make checklists etc, no
bolts , just stickers and bits of yarn… other major companies routinely
sell and install bolted instruments under form 337 without STCs but I am not
proposing to move into the that level of screw on bolt on. My ex airforce flight
medical doctor insists that I must do this project, the test pilots out at Edwards
have reviewed it and recommended I link with this flight school or that flight
school, of course insurance and cultural acceptance were issues that they were
worried about. Aspects of daily operations I don’t have experience with
but in other areas I know more than most people.
The contest requires some systematic precision flying by the numbers, no more.
The Café Contest is part of an onging NASA contest and will likely be televised so it is an opportunity to publicise etc, which is something you are doing, selling advanced devices, going to air shows etecetera, writing articles, hence you are already one of the few that will do anything new… You are going out on the limb in your articles and work, as am I, it behooves all of us to have editors and cross checkers to improve the accuraccy, you are only one person, it takes a lot of time to do consumer reasearch like you have done on helmets and flight suits. I have done quite a bit myself.