There are many new types of commercial aircraft now coming out of China and Russia, like the C919, MC-21 and Sukhoi Su-100. But are they what they seem or just clever copies of the DC-9, Boeing 717-100/100?
And the question that could be asked are they as good as western designs from Europe and Embraer in Brazil.
What markets are the Chinese and Russians after, when most countries are drawn to Brazil, Airbus and the extensive U.S. Boeing families of aircraft.
Friday 25 May 2012
Friday 18 May 2012
Helicopters...
Since the first flight of the helicopter in 1946/7 by Sikorsky in the U.S. This machine has now become the prolific aviation invention so far. It was during the Vietnam war that the helicopter came into its own right, despite being limited in types available for military warfare and medical evacuation as we have to day. These machines made a serious impact on the psyche of all around them.
The Russian Mil Mi-1/2 must be the most commonly built, very basic and slow compared to today, it did allow many countries around the world to get a foot hold in to military aviation.
Today the U.S. AH-60 blackhawk is the symbol of multi-role type, but there are larger machines such as the CH-47, twin rotor, CH-53 Super stallion heavy lift. Meanwhile the Russians have their multirole Mil Mi-24/35, combining both troop transport and gunship. Russia also has the largest helicopter ever built the Mil Mi-26, with eight rotor blades and the capacity to carry at least 100 troops.
Both Russia and the U.S. learned from Afghanistan and Vietnam the need for helicopters.
Later in the year I hope to return to the subject in more detail.
The Russian Mil Mi-1/2 must be the most commonly built, very basic and slow compared to today, it did allow many countries around the world to get a foot hold in to military aviation.
Today the U.S. AH-60 blackhawk is the symbol of multi-role type, but there are larger machines such as the CH-47, twin rotor, CH-53 Super stallion heavy lift. Meanwhile the Russians have their multirole Mil Mi-24/35, combining both troop transport and gunship. Russia also has the largest helicopter ever built the Mil Mi-26, with eight rotor blades and the capacity to carry at least 100 troops.
Both Russia and the U.S. learned from Afghanistan and Vietnam the need for helicopters.
Later in the year I hope to return to the subject in more detail.
Friday 11 May 2012
Motorbikes...
Cycles.
When we put the engine on the bicycle man invented the motor bike and with it came the horse on two wheels.
This form of transport came into its own right from the day it was conceived, as a messenger service vehicle. But today it is used by courier services, the police and paramedics.
In the so-called third world the Rickshaw has been motorised to great effect as a little road vehicle. Many businesses have stemmed from this conversion.
There have been additions apart from the trike, there is also the fitted side cars, which I am now told are luxury compared to the old days.
Sport has seen these machines improve into super everything and why not.
Triumph, Honda, Suzuki, BMW, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Laverda, Neval, Yamaha, Piaggio, Norton.
When we put the engine on the bicycle man invented the motor bike and with it came the horse on two wheels.
This form of transport came into its own right from the day it was conceived, as a messenger service vehicle. But today it is used by courier services, the police and paramedics.
In the so-called third world the Rickshaw has been motorised to great effect as a little road vehicle. Many businesses have stemmed from this conversion.
There have been additions apart from the trike, there is also the fitted side cars, which I am now told are luxury compared to the old days.
Sport has seen these machines improve into super everything and why not.
Triumph, Honda, Suzuki, BMW, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Laverda, Neval, Yamaha, Piaggio, Norton.
Friday 4 May 2012
Rocket Man.
I wonder will it be viable for each of us one day to have our own rocket packs?
The current rocket man operates out of Switzerland and has broken several world records with his feats. Science fiction comic book strips have now become a reality. But our visions of the future are usually way off. Could we see congested skies, I doubt it. At the moment our skies are full of aircraft, but they are all on a controlled path, civilian and military.
Would we really want the sky to be filled with machines, since we have to many of them on the surface already?
The current rocket man operates out of Switzerland and has broken several world records with his feats. Science fiction comic book strips have now become a reality. But our visions of the future are usually way off. Could we see congested skies, I doubt it. At the moment our skies are full of aircraft, but they are all on a controlled path, civilian and military.
Would we really want the sky to be filled with machines, since we have to many of them on the surface already?
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