Wright Flyer.

[Ed Miller]

Unfortunately 12/17/2003 only comes along once, they did what they had to considering all the press and paying spectators. They played the only hand dealt on the anniversary date. 
Ed M. 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Henderson,Eric 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Friday, December 19, 2003 1:27 PM
  Subject: RE: Wright Flyer.


  Jim,
         I didn't see any of your postings that way. I do think that there was an inherent responsibility in the replication effort to actually get it to fly. Waiting for more wind would have been prudent. Using flight expertise other than pilots. My point is that I'll wager that any proficient RC pattern modeler could have diagnosed the condition and made sure that it flew when in put the eye of the world. 

  The last thing I want is to encourage the French to resurrect their claims. (Remember that the peace after the 115 years war with France is only a temporary aberration - John Cleese) :-)

  Any news that they succeeded in getting in a recorded flight would be most welcome.

  Regards,

  Eric.



  -----Original Message-----
  From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On Behalf Of JOddino
  Sent: Friday, December 19, 2003 12:58 PM
  To: discussion at nsrca.org
  Subject: Re: Wright Flyer.


  Eric,
  Didn't mean to pick at your note.  I was just very disappointed that they didn't get off the ground.  They had to know they needed the headwind.  Why did they try anyway?
  Your original question about cg will be evident when they do get off the ground.  What I have heard is the Wrights were more concerned about control than stability and perhaps they have enough control at the right airspeed to handle the instability for a short time.
  Jim
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Henderson,Eric 
    To: discussion at nsrca.org 
    Sent: Friday, December 19, 2003 8:10 AM
    Subject: RE: Wright Flyer.


    The point of the note was to analyze how the plane flew and not generate geo-political disrespect of the original achievement or the replication. I guess it is more fun, for some, to pick at my note rather than discuss aerodynamics.   

    -----Original Message-----
    From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On Behalf Of Ed Miller
    Sent: Friday, December 19, 2003 5:10 AM
    To: discussion at nsrca.org
    Subject: Re: Wright Flyer.


    The spirit and intent was and is to replicate the Wright Flyer, and hopefully that historic moment of flight to the exact detail on the history making 100th anniversary. Sure, 100 years later even a bunch of ARF building modelers can think of ways to improve the Wright Flyer, but that isn't the point of this exercise. Without the Wright Flyer and the vision and determination of the Wright brothers, we might not be here to arm chair quarterback this. This team of  "pilots and carpenters" 100 years later possess the skills, determination and most importantly the desire to try and re-create one of the most significant events in human history. Re-creating the Wright Flyer down to the level and detail this team has including building a replication of the original engine, surely displays this team engineering prowess. The Wright Brothers did not have 100 years of aeronautical theory and design to fall back on, every step forward they took was a step into un-chartered waters and we today reap the benefits of their dedication and perseverance. This team approached this monumental task with the same mindset. 
    When the wind and humidity is right and lady luck is on their side ( exactly what the Wright brothers had 100 years ago ), they will successfully fly the Wright Flyer re-creation. 
    Everything you enjoy about flight came from the Wright Flyer and the vision of the Wright Brothers. 
    Pay the team 100 years later the respect they deserve in trying to bring to all of us that magic moment.
    Ed M.
    ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Henderson,Eric 
      To: discussion at nsrca.org 
      Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003 9:59 AM
      Subject: Wright Flyer.


       I have been avidly following the progress of the Wright Flyer replica. It's driving me nuts watching them try to fly it. (Is there an aeronautical engineer on the project? - looks a lot like pilots and carpenters)


      From where I sit, admittedly in my arm chair, the thing looks, acts and flies very TAIL HEAVY! 

      The engines are behind the CG on the wings. There's almost nothing up front to bring the CG to a decent stable point. Am I off base here?

      Also I have meddled with models of the plane a little. Wing warping that goes only goes down induces worse wash-in at the slowest of speeds and is pretty nasty in the model. Instead of lifting the wing it drags it back making the plane turn adversely to the intended input. I know that they were trying to fly an exact replica so they went with everything as true to history as possible, but it is frustrating watching it struggle.

      Any thoughts,

      Regards,

      Eric.


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