Bob Herendeen Glasair III Aerobatics 2of2
This is part 2 of 2 of Bob Herendeen's aerobatics show in a Glasair III kitplane made by Glasair Aviation (www.glasairaviation.com).
Aero-TV: Glasair Aviation -Thoughts On The Evolution Of Sport Aviation
A Look At The Changes Taking Place In The Sport Aviation Industry
The future of sport aviation is in flux... the old ways of sport flying are rapidly disappearing and a new reality is coming about. With that in mind, ANN's Tom Patton took a few moments to ask one of the veterans of the sport aviation market, Glasair's Scott Taylor, about what he sees as he works in this ever-evolving industry.
The generation that used to build every single piece of an aircraft, from plans, rather than a kit has all but disappeared and today's SportPlane builder/buyer is a far more discerning and picky individual. Take the Glasair Sportsman 2 + 2 as a case in point... the machine is surviving because of an aggressive marketing program by the manufacturer that not only emphasizes the ability of the aircraft , but has packaged a fast-build program (a legal one!) to offer the more immediate gratification that today's customer's demand. And it is innovative thinking like the 'Two Week To Taxi' program that has made the company successful while dozens of others have all but disappeared.
The Sportsman 2+2 gives its pilots reason to brag about 155-161 mph cruise speeds (180-200 hp), and a Vso of only 48 mph... making the S2+2 an easy STOL performer needing as little as 375 feet for takeoff and 260 feet for landing. Climb rates range from 1950 fpm (solo) to 1000 fpm (gross). At 65% power and standard tanks, the S2+2 will get you 886 sm down the road. It has 1000 pounds of useful load, and a small bench seat behind the two front seats (good for an adult or two small kids... or an amazing load of crap, uh, gear). Even if you fill both seats and gas it all the way up, there's still 300 pounds of useful load left. And its THAT kind of capability that is much in demand by today's SportPlane buyer...
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Bob Hoover at Reno 1988
The great Bob Hoover performs in the Shrike Commander and the Rockwell SabreLiner at the Reno Air Races in 1987-88. Notice Bob had a habit of shutting off the engines in the Skrike AND in the SabreLiner to demonstrate his mastery of energy management. There is another video, called, "Stopped Engine Aerobatics" available on youtube by another producer showing Bob pour himself a glass of Ice Tea...while perfroming a barrel roll, with an airplane full of Generals. I have met Bob many times and he was a friend and aviation associate of my fathers, you wont find a nicer man to spend a few minutes talking with. I used to talk with him a lot when I worked at LAX and he flew out of the hanger next door which was Rockwells hanger. Bob Hoover, truly one of the aviation greats of our time.
Original video by : Skyfire Productions
Restored Vintage Northrop N9MB Flying Wing---Rare Sight !
This is a video that I took of the Planes of Fame Museum's (Chino, California) Northrop N9MB Flying Wing while performing a display at the Palm Springs Air Museum in 2006. This aircraft was painstakingly restored over a 13-year period.
As part of the November 1941 contract that Northrop was awarded for the proposed XB-35 Flying Wing included the construction of four, 1/3-scale aircraft, designated N9M, that were to act as flying test beds for various flight systems and also to familiarize Air Force pilots with flying-wing operations. The Planes of Fame Flying Wing in this video is one of those aircraft, and the only one remaining. Aviation greats such as Jack Northrop himself, Chuck Yeager and Bob Hoover actually flew this exact aircraft. I understand that this aircraft has a lot of idiosyncrasies that every pilot that ever flew her fell prey to, with interesting results!
Unfortunately, this aircraft experienced an in-flight engine fire just a short time after this video was taken in its left, 300 hp., 8-cylinder Franklin 0-540-7 engine. Pilot Ron Hackworth skillfully landed the aircraft safely. The Flying Wing has since been pretty much restored, but the restoration of the rare Franklin 0-540-7 engine is another matter. There were only about 27 of these engines ever built and it is believed that only three of them exist today. The needed parts may be newly manufactured as necessary, but the factory drawings are needed. They have not yet been located to my knowledge, as of Nov. 2007.
NOVEMBER 2009 UPDATE: New cylinder heads are being manufactured for these engines. Not a simple nor inexpensive task. Once the engine rebuilds are under way, this aircraft will once again fly, and not in the too distant future! But in the meantime, enjoy the rare video of this historic aircraft!
May 2010 UPDATE: The rebuilt, rare Franklin 8-cylinder engines have arrived and are in the process of being installed. The "Wing" will be ready for flight very soon!
Best,
- Octane130 -
Glasair Sportsman: 360 vs. 390
If you're building a Glasair Sportsman, you have the choice of a 180-HP IO-360 or the beefier IO-390. Which engine is best? It depends? In this video, Kitplanes Magazine editor Marc Cook analyzes the pros and cons.
