Just out of curiosity - Airplane Guys

Mailman said:
I learned something new a couple days ago. A lot of you aircraft guys will already be familiar with this I’m sure. It’s called The Magnus Effect. By definition “Magnus effect, generation of a sidewise force on a spinning cylindrical or spherical solid immersed in a fluid (liquid or gas) when there is relative motion between the spinning body and the fluid.”
I always knew that a spinning ball will curve, I just never knew the science behind it, it’s what allows a pitcher in baseball to throw crazy curve balls,
View attachment 240568
Or a soccer player to bend a ball into the goal net,
View attachment 240569

But what really surprised me is that the same law of physics can be applied to aircraft,
View attachment 240571
Spinning cylinders can act as wings, maybe not as well as true wings, but the fact that they work at all surprised me.
View attachment 240570
I even watched a YouTube video where these college students made a flying RC plane out of spinning chicken take out buckets.
View attachment 240573
There have been attempts in the past to create full size planes using spinning cylinders as wings.
“The Plymouth A-A-2004 was built for Zaparka in 1930 by three anonymous American inventors. It was reported to have made successful flights over Long Island Sound.
An inherent safety concern is that if power to the rotating drums were lost—even if thrust was maintained—the aircraft would lose its ability to generate lift as the drum slowed and it would not be able to sustain flight.”
View attachment 240574
They have also built ships that have used cylinders as sails, they have reported that even though it takes engines to drive the spinning cylinders that they are 20-30% more fuel efficient than similar sized prop driven ships.
View attachment 240572
I found all this quite interesting. Never too old to learn something new! 😉
Click to expand...
Somebody has a patent to this effect to make air liner tires spin before they hit the ground thus lessening wear on expensive tires...
 
40north said:
and hand on paper the course correction to pilot. Great circle sorta thing.
Click to expand...
hand on paper...:D I did chart navigation since I was 16 captaining a boat from the East coast to Lake Michigan in 1974. My crew was my 15 year old brother. Fun shit plotting where you are and where you gotta go...
 
Kevin Werner said:
Tread pattern.
Click to expand...
Those wheel/brake assemblies are heavy. Very heavy. From where I sit, I don’t expect it effective or cost effective enough for airlines to buy into it. OTOH, I’d love to see it in action as I can’t imagine the wind turning a 500 lb wheel assembly to 100 or more mph.
 
jetmechmarty said:
Those wheel/brake assemblies are heavy. Very heavy. From where I sit, I don’t expect it effective or cost effective enough for airlines to buy into it. OTOH, I’d love to see it in action as I can’t imagine the wind turning a 500 lb wheel assembly to 100 or more mph.
Click to expand...
The 727 brake stacks are 350 lbs. I know... when I worked an outstation (by myself), I used to have to dead lift 'em on and off the dolly that was used to install 'em.
Wheel and tire on a -200 ADV was about 400lbs. That's 750lbs total needing to be rotated.
I'm with Marty... don't see it happening.
 
jetmechmarty said:
Those wheel/brake assemblies are heavy. Very heavy. From where I sit, I don’t expect it effective or cost effective enough for airlines to buy into it. OTOH, I’d love to see it in action as I can’t imagine the wind turning a 500 lb wheel assembly to 100 or more mph.
Click to expand...
My WWII Navy aircraft mechanic father in law told me that they did attempt to do that in WWII with electric motors, but there was too much of a weight penalty just for starters. Easier and more cost effective to replace tires.
 
Jim said:
The 727 brake stacks are 350 lbs. I know... when I worked an outstation (by myself), I used to have to dead lift 'em on and off the dolly that was used to install 'em.
Wheel and tire on a -200 ADV was about 400lbs. That's 750lbs total needing to be rotated.
I'm with Marty... don't see it happening.
Click to expand...
Yeah. Someone told me one time I was nuts for picking up a 757 carbon brake assembly and sliding it onto the axle. I think those are 210 lbs and as light as the get. Wheel brake assemblies probably don't ever weigh much less than 500 lbs. I'll have to see wind power spin it for sure.
 
This video illustrates the importance of the pilots. I used to work for this outfit, and it was a black eye for the company. Human error for sure, as well as mechanical failure led to this, and lucky no one was killed. The last 10 minutes explain the reasons for the lack of fuel. If you have a few minutes, watch this video.
 
I am kind of a jerk for two reasons. The first reason is for mentioning in this forum. The other reason is I have to admit that I accidently saw one of these You Tube videos and actually searched another. The first one I ever saw was literally a roll on take=off and augering in.
 
1683571689251.png
 
The Me 262 is very pretty, like the P51, fast even on display. But for achievement> fairey swordfish. A flying anachronism, without any modern stuff, like radio or gyros, they sank the Italian Fleet at Taranto and prevented the Med from becoming a fascist lake. The aircobra in Soviet hands was also beautiful, and had a nifty cannon.

some airplanes never fly> https://www.blazingcatfur.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Soviet-Snow-Mobile.jpg

I see the old YAK's are not mentioned...

Best! (sorry about duplication...my bad)!
 
Last edited:
jetmechmarty said:
Those wheel/brake assemblies are heavy. Very heavy. From where I sit, I don’t expect it effective or cost effective enough for airlines to buy into it. OTOH, I’d love to see it in action as I can’t imagine the wind turning a 500 lb wheel assembly to 100 or more mph.
Click to expand...
I was told by pilot on 707 transatlantic in 1962 (first class!) that the spin-up gag on the tires had been tried...there were cast-in "cups" rather similar to an anemometer...it didn't work out well, he said. No idea if that's a fact, but I had the discussion. In those days things were somewhat more rational...
 
We ought to remember the Constellation, the YAKs, and take note not all airplanes fly...
The Me 262 as well, like the P51, fast even on display!
1683642498990.png
 

Similar threads

Wordman
For those in the US on Memorial Day
Replies
0
Views
264
Wordman
Wordman
I am Carbon
This is stunning.......
2
Replies
22
Views
4K
650Skull
650Skull
Back
Top