Know About the Parachute

The word of "parachute" as we know it today comes from the French, "para" (protecting) and "chute" (fall) so that the parachute means "protection of the fall." How the beginning of a parachute?

Triangle-shaped parachute designed
by Leonardo Da Vinci. (Picture from: 
http://timnovate.wordpress.com/)

In the 15th century, Leonardo Da Vinci ever make triangle-shaped parachute. Because of that design, Leonardo can be considered as one of the pioneers in the concept design of the parachute.

A century after Leonardo Da Vinci designed a parachute concept, an Italian, Fausto Veranzio design parachute that is different from the concept that was made by Leonardo. He made a rectangular parachute.

The next development of parachute done by Andre Jacques Garnerin. He successfully completed its design in 1797.

A round parachute with a diameter of 23 feet. Garnerin parachute still equipped with a frame so that its shape is like an umbrella.

Parachute designed by Fausto Veranzio and Andre Jacques Garnerin.

On October 22, 1797 Garnerin test the parachute to jump from a balloon floating at an altitude of 975 meters above the city of Paris. Although the parachute failed to control the violent crushing of aerodynamic air that makes Garnerin jump was unmanageable, but he managed to land safely.

Thomas Scott Baldwin known as "The 
Father of the Modern Parachute."
(Picture from: http://www.hill.af.mil/)

The success was made ​​Garnerin became the first man to successfully use a parachute to make the jump from a flying object hovering in the sky.

The first person who managed to make a parachute without a framework known as Limp Parachute was Thomas Scott Baldwin of the U.S. in 1897. In 1919, Leslie Irvin managed to make a parachute that can be controlled.

Now, parachuting is one of the sport as well as recreational facilities. Parachuting continue to spread around the world and become a very challenging hobby.

Now parachute was developed with the specifications and functions are increasingly sophisticated. *** [SEPTI | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 02082012]

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Drone Technology Sabotage-Prone?

No ivory that is not cracked. That proverb is right for unmanned fighter aircraft technology the United States. Advanced fighter aircraft, unmanned remotely controlled or drone, used in the United States reconnaissance and attack missions in the war was easily sabotaged.

Drones are mostly used for 
military operations. (Picture from:  
http://www.bbc.co.uk/)

The research team, which also came from America, uncover the secrets of sabotage that could cripple the unmanned reconnaissance aircraft. Scientists from the University of Texas at Austin found a "spoofing" method, ie, plowing techniques of satellite signals GPS (global positioning system) that are sent from the control station for unmanned aircraft.

The team of scientists that serve the challenges of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in mengulik weakness of drones. Todd Humphreys and a team of Radio Navigation Laboratory indicate the "spoofing" method in front of DHS officials. He uses a plane-sized unmanned mini helicopter that was flown over the stadium in the City of Austin.

Humphreys managed to hijack a GPS system drone university. Control of unmanned aircraft can be taken over after the aircraft GPS system is compromised and manipulated.

How drones.work. (Picture from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/)

"What if you could take over a drone sending FedEx packages and use them as the sender of a missile?" Humphreys said. "It's the same mentality as that of the attackers on 9 September 2001."

The U.S. military now often use this multifunctional drone because it can be controlled from a central headquarters are located thousands of kilometers away. Drones are often deployed in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Military analysts said the "spoofing" method demo is displayed by Humphreys shows the potential hazards of the use of drones in the military mission. This method was allegedly used to bring down a U.S. military drone in Iran in 2011.

Noel Sharkey, founder of the International Committee for Robot Arms Control, said the "spoofing" method utilizing GPS signals are not encrypted. This signal is typically used civil aircraft.

"It's easy to fool an unencrypted signals from unmanned aircraft," said Sharkey. He added that anyone who is skilled can do and only requires equipment worth U.S. $ 1,000.

Sabotage drone with the method of "spoofing" proved to be very effective and dangerous. Sharkey said a hijacker can make drones as if "thinking" sliding into a specified location of the military headquarters. Though the plane was shot to another location that has been determined by hijackers.

The hijackers also can cripple drone, stealing, and filled it with explosives and pointed it somewhere else. "It becomes very dangerous because they can change direction and launched at the innocent peoples," said Sharkey. *** [FOXNEWS | MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI | KORAN TEMPO 3928]

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Uncle Sam's New War Machine

Drone technology for military operations has been a work plan Air Force Unmanned Aerial System Flight Plan 2009-2047. Lined up a number of defense technology company produces various types of aircraft.

There are dozens of types of Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that belongs to the United States military and intelligence services. For example, the company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems manufactured the Predator, Reaper, and Grey Eagle.

Then a AeroVironment made Dragon Eye, Raven, Wasp and Puma. Small planes are proven to serve the mission of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). Later, AeroVironment developed a new type of unmanned aircraft systems, the Switchblade and Shrike VTOL that can be stored in a backpack which was draped in the U.S. soldier.

The Switchblade and Shrike, two of Aerovironment's drone

Two types of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) can indeed be stripped down and put in a special backpack (back-packable). 

Switchblade dimension is indeed tiny, and weighs 2.7 kilograms and 60 centimeters long. But who would have thought if he was capable of flying at 150 kilometers per hour up to a radius of 5 kilometers for 20 minutes.

How the Switchblade drone work.  
(Picture from: http://osgeoint.blogspot.com/)

To support the mission of reconnaissance, Switchblade comes with a number of advanced equipment, such as cameras, Global Positioning System device (GPS), and sensors. As for attack missions, the aircraft can be fitted with a grenade on the muzzle.

All information about the target, starting coordinates, the condition of the region, to feature the introduction of the object of attack, the soldiers would be sent back to the wireless operator.

After making sure the target through the video, the operator then sends commands to the Switchblade to arm themselves and lock the target.

This is very easy to fly. Initially, the aircraft leveled with a special launcher tube. Furthermore, he will fly using a single propeller unit in the tail which is driven by an electric motor. Far enough from the operator using the remote control and special glasses.

Switchblade launch.  
(Picture from: http://investor.avinc.com/)

Its small size and the sound of the motor as a cool make Switchblade difficult to detect, recognize, and tracked, even from a relatively close distance. The aircraft is also very flexible and allows the operator because the army can be launched from air and ground platforms.

"The unique ability Switchblade able to prevent deadlock. Speed, accuracy, and the effects caused minimal damage to the aircraft makes it an ideal weapon for the U.S. military forces in the future," said Bill Nichols, vice president of production at the project Army Close Combat Weapons Systems AeroVironment cultivated.

The first party order a Switchblade is a U.S. Army with contract worth U.S. $ 4.9 million. On March 20, 2012, there were additional funds of U.S. $ 5.1 million for other facilities.

The Air Force did not want to miss. They issued a contract worth U.S. $ 4.1 million for engineering services which include technology, operating systems, and operator training Switchblade. To work on both projects, AeroVironment in cooperation with ATK, the munition subcontractor, to design and manufacture of weapons systems.

Yes, if it already operates, Switchblade who have no eyes and hearts are ready to tear people who are considered enemies of America, no matter the surroundings there are women, children, and old peoples. *** [MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI | EKA RAHMADHY | FROM VARIOUS SOURCE | KORAN TEMPO 3921]

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Flying With Solar Power

Bertrand Piccard open cockpit HB-SIA aircraft, which has just landed at the International Airport Rabat, Morocco. Dozens of people, including leader of Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), applauded the pilots who flew the plane to welcome fueled the sun's energy.

The experimental aircraft "Solar Impulse", HB-SIA, with Solar Impulse's Chief Executive Officer and pilot Andre Borschberg takes off for its first intercontinental flight to Morocco at the airbase in Payerne, Switzerland, Thursday, May 24, 2012. (Picture from: http://business.financialpost.com/)

"In addition to technical and political reasons to fly to Morocco, flights across the Strait of Gibraltar is a magical and exciting moments in my career as an aviator," said Piccard, Solar Impulse project leader, told reporters in Rabat Airport, Tuesday.

The solar powered aircraft Solar Impulse. (Picture from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/)

The project was built in 2004 by Piccard (a Swiss doctors and balloon pilots) and Andre Borschberg, a businessman from Switzerland. The project goal is flying around the world with solar-powered aircraft. In collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne or EPFL), another mission of this project is to create solar-powered flight without pollution.

The gigantic, but ultra-lightweight dimensions of this revolutionary airplane - capable of flying day and night without fuel - are its trademark feature. (Picture from: http://www.theurbn.com/)

In July 2010, the Solar Impulse made history as the first manned airplane that has the ability to fly only with solar power. On May 13, 2012, they began their mission which called 2012 Crossing Fronties or flying over the African continent as far as 2,500 miles. Bertrand and Andre turns to the pilot.

In the first leg, the aircraft flew from Switzerland to Madrid, Spain. The next leg, where Bertrand became a pilot, the aircraft flew from Madrid to Rabat, Morocco. Since November last year and the Solar Impulse worked together with MASEN to design the 2012 Crossing Fronties mission.

Solar Impulse pilots Bertrand Piccard, center, celebrates with Andre Borschberg, right, and Mustapha Bakkoury, president of the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy upon arrival at Rabat airport, Morocco, June 5, 2012. (Picture from: http://www.cbsnews.com/)

"We share the same message to the Solar Impulse that solar energy is no longer confined to the scientific world, but be an integral part of everyday life," said President of MASEN, Mustafa Bakkoury. According to him, the largest solar power plant in the world owned by MASEN will operate in 2014, coinciding with the program Solar Impulse world tour.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) set Bertrand as Champions of the Earth. "The mission is to grow awareness and urgency to increase investment in renewable energy sector," said UNEP spokesman. Piccard In addition, there are six other figures who received the title of which will be given to the Rio+20 Earth Summit in Brazil in the 20 to 22 June 2012.

Fly by solar power. (Picture from: KORAN TEMPO 3904)

The uniqueness of this plane contained in the fuel. Fuel is used instead of aviation fuel which is derived from fossil fuels or petroleum. Electrical energy to drive the machine was obtained from 12 thousand solar cell that is in the wings and tail. This capacity is only able to fly a plane with a speed of 70 kilometers per hour (44 mph) or equivalent average speed of 100 cc motorcycles. No doubt, the flight from Madrid, Spain, to be reached Rabat International Airport for 19 hours.

So that the aircraft can be flown with minimal electrical power, designer make Solar Impulse is very slim. This aircraft has a wing length of 21.85 meters with 63.4 meters of width, equivalent to the Airbus A340. Material of the fuselage is made of carbon fiber, so the total weight of the aircraft was only 1,600 kilograms.

Single-seater aircraft was successfully completed its mission. "This flight marks a new stage in the history of our project because it made it to the other continents," said Andre Borschberg. According to him, these improve the success of Solar Impulse confidence in the application of new technologies they create. *** [SOLAR IMPULSE | TELEGRAPH | UNTUNG WIDYANTO | KORAN TEMPO 3904]

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When Auto Makers Began to Make Jet

Honda Jet are getting closer to the certification process after a successful return to flight test. Ambition is closer to reality for the manufacture of commercial aircraft, after the HondaJet-F3 did well on its first flight test in Piedmont International Airport, Greensboro, North Carolina, United States, on May 4, 2012. 

This is an advanced type of Honda Jet aircraft fourth successful flight test and is an important step in the process of certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In these flight tests, F3 Jet finish flight for 74 minutes and reach heights of up to 11,500 feet at speeds up to 313 Knots True Air Speed ​​(KTAS) to perfection. 

HondaJet-F3 success on its test flight. (Picture from: http://wot.motortrend.com/)

Unlike the previous model, F3 aircraft appear to blend colors to white and yellow lines represent the sporty character and high efficiency is called by Honda as a "Sports Car" in the sky and is the first commercial aircraft from Honda which has advantages in performance, comfort, quality and fuel efficiency. 

HondaJet-F3 cockpit. (Picture from: http://wot.motortrend.com/)

The product is able to combine technology innovation in the field of aviation technology, including unique configuration overwing engine-mount, the placement of the engine at the top of the wing which can improve performance and fuel efficiency by reducing the drag coefficient of aerodynamics. 

Cabin area of HondaJet-F3. (Picture from: http://wot.motortrend.com/)

F3 jets using two GE Honda HF120 turbofan engines with high efficiency jet, equipped with the most advanced flight ever applied to a light business jet. 

The first Honda Jet prototype was flown on December 21, 2010 at Honda Aircraft Company Facilities Center at Piedmont Triad International Airport, Greensboro, USA. *** [DIH | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 01062012]

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The PAL-V Flying Car Makes Successful First Test Flight

One of the obstacles of life in big cities are jammed. Many people who outsmart congestion by buying a motorcycle or City Car, but if the congestion is severe, the mini vehicles were unable to move.

However, if you use the PAL-V, it looks like you have to say goodbye to traffic jams. Because the PAL-V is a vehicle that not only can running on land, but also flying in the air.

Hybrid vehicles made ​​by a Dutch company has a small enough size and more similar to a three-wheeled motorcycles than cars. These vehicles can only be ridden by two people.

First deliveries expected in 2014. (Picture from: http://pal-v.com/)

The PAL-V Europe NV has been busy in the past seven years having finalized the design concept in 2008 and testing a driving prototype in 2009. Now the flying-driving prototype has been put through its paces with video of the PAL-V’s recent successful maiden flight now released. 

Although the finished vehicle looks slightly different to the computer renderings available in 2004, the design remains pretty much the same. On the ground the two-seater PAL-V (Personal Air and Land Vehicle) is an aerodynamic tilting three-wheeler that is designed to combine the handling of a motorbike with a mechanical-hydraulic dynamic tilting mechanism automatically adjusting the tilt angle of the vehicle while cornering. 

The PAL-V One in front of the offices of the Netherlands-based company PAL-V. (Picture from: http://pal-v.com/)

It is powered by a 160 kW flight certified gasoline engine – although there will also be biodiesel and bio-ethanol versions - that can accelerate the vehicle from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in under eight seconds, on the way to a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). In ground mode the vehicle boasts estimated fuel economy figures of 12 km/l (28 mpg US) and a range of 1,200 km (750 miles). 

PAL-V has just proved it can handle the skies as well as the highway, both at up to 112 miles (180 kilometers) per hour. (Picture from: http://pal-v.com/)

To convert from automobile to airplane, the vehicle’s engine must be brought to a stop – no Transformer-like transition on the go unfortunately. The tail is then extended and the rotor unfolded in a process that takes less than 10 minutes. Upon starting the engine the foldable push propeller emerges from the rear of the cabin to provide the forward thrust. To go from aircraft to automobile, the process is simply reversed. 

PAL-V in car mode. (Picture from: http://pal-v.com/)

The PAL-V requires a strip (either pavement or grass) of at least 165 m (540 ft) to get airborne and just 30 m (100 ft) to land. Once in the air it can reach a maximum speed of 97 kts (180 km/h/112 mph), with a minimum speed of 27 kts (50 km/h/31 mph) required for level flight. In flight mode it has an estimated fuel economy of 36 l/h (9.5 US gph) and a range of 350-500 km (220-315 miles), depending on the model type, payload and wind conditions. 

Here’s video of the PAL-V’s maiden flight. 

Designed to generally operate below 1,200 m (4,000 ft), the PAL-V flies within the airspace reserved for uncontrolled Visual Flight Rules (VFR) traffic, meaning it can take off in many countries without filing a flight plan. The company points out that governments in the U.S. and Europe are examining the development of “digital freeways” that use GPS technology to provide a safe corridor for such vehicles. 

Flying like a standard gyrocopter, the PAL-V’s main rotor has a slower rotation than a helicopter, making it quieter and giving it the ability to take off and land at lower speeds. The company says it is also easier to control and cannot stall and, even if the engine fails, it can be steered and landed safely as the rotor keeps auto rotating. 

Measuring 4(L) x 1.6(W) x 1.6(H) m (13.1 x 5.2 x 5.2 ft), the PAL-V weighs 680 kg (1,499 lb) and can carry a maximum load of 230 kg (507 lb) for a maximum gross weight of 910 kg (2,006 lb). The company says the PAL-V complies with existing regulations in all major markets making it legal for both road and air use. Obtaining a license requires only 20 to 30 hours of training. 

Having conducted successful test flights, the PAL-V team will now focus on the design of the first commercial model PAL-V, with first deliveries expected in 2014. PAL-V Europe says law enforcement agencies, the military, and flying doctors have already expressed interest in the vehicle. *** [PAL-V | GIZMAG]

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Zeppelin Airship Strikes Again

New weapons and equipment testing by the United States during the war in Afghanistan. One is the Zeppelin airship that was once famous during World War I. 

In 2010, nearly a month of three units Zeppelin circled the northern region of Afghanistan. The aircraft was watching the movement of the Taliban and the United States to supply troops. The plane was made by the company Hybrid Air Vehicles, which gets defense contract of U.S. $ 315 million from the government of the United States. 

The U.S. Army's pilot-optional Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle will conduct surveillance in Afghanistan. Northrop Grumman and the British firm Hybrid Air Vehicles recently won the $517 million contract to build the hybrid airship. (Picture from: http://spectrum.ieee.org/)

But Defense Ministry spokesman said it had received reports about a possible new use of the airship to transport equipment and logistics in the military mission. "But there are currently no plans to buy it," he said last week. 

Hybrid Air Vehicles has been a pioneer in the design and manufacture of a giant balloon. Companies from the United States is developing the aircraft with the latest technologies that are cost effective, low carbon emissions, and focus to the mission of transporting goods as well as aerial surveillance. 

Such a capability is needed for the present and future aircraft. The company is developing hybrid air vehicle technology to produce 60 percent of lift aerostatic using helium gas and 40 percent of the aerodynamic shape resulting from the aircraft. 

LEMV advantages. (Picture from: Koran Tempo 3810)

The resulting air balloon aircraft supposedly called "lighter than air". Using the power of four units of the driving machine called a propulsor, the plane was able to take off and land vertically. 

Innovation produces revolutionary air balloon flight with a potential global market. Director of Business Development of Hybrid Air Vehicles, Hardy Giesler, said in 2010 the company built a partnership with Northrop Grumman, its peers. They receive U.S. $ 517 million from the U.S. Army to develop a Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV). "The aircraft is capable of flying at altitudes above 20 thousand feet above sea level for 21 days nonstop. Not to be confused refuel," said Giesler in the pages of site Hybrid Air Vehicles. 

LEMV is air transportation specifically designed to carry very heavy loads and travel very far. The aircraft is capable of landing on land, ice, snow, well above the water, so it does not require grounding. 

These aircraft, the manufacturer offers a service to transport cargo, firefighting operations, transport of military logistics, and commercial aviation services. With a payload capacity of 50 tons, the aircraft is capable of flying at speeds of up to 185 kilometers per hour. Without the need for the runway, the aircraft is able to send logistics to remote areas. 

If necessary, the ability to transport these aircraft can be increased to 200 tons. Even in future aircraft designed to carry cargo up to 1,000 tons. 

The SkyHook airship, a joint project of Boeing and the Canadian company SkyHook International, is a rotary-airship hybrid that will haul oil-drilling equipment in northern Canada. (Picture from: http://spectrum.ieee.org/)

Giesler said alternative air transportation is known to be very environmentally friendly. Fuel consumption is also very economical to save up to 75 percent fuel compared to other types of commercial aircraft. 

This aircraft is in the detail design stage and will be assembled this year. "The first vehicle for commercial purposes is scheduled to begin in 2014," said Giesler. *** [HAV | MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI | KORAN TEMPO 3810] 

Twice Hercules Capacity

If the U.S. Army uses modern airship in the military mission in Afghanistan. Then the British Royal Navy did not want to miss. They use it to supply the number of aircraft carriers. 

Airship that can travel over 90mph could by used by Royal Navy. (Picture from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/)

British soldier lured after persuaded by Northrop Grumman, the U.S. defense company that developed the aircraft with this oval-shaped balloon. 

They then equip it with advanced surveillance cameras to spy on enemy movements. In addition, the British military commanders consider the Zeppelin as a troop transport plane as it can carry up to 150 soldiers. The aircraft is capable of flying up to speeds of 80 knots, three times faster than the naval vessels, and can travel for days without having to refuel. 

Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV). (Picture from: Koran Tempo 3810)

Modern Zeppelin fuel is a mixture of helium and 60 percent 40 percent air, making it much safer and less vulnerable to enemy fire. Innovation is different from its predecessor that made Zeppelin so highly flammable hydrogen as the enemy was shot in World War I. 

The test results of the company Hybrid Air Vehicles shows that the bullets and missiles can penetrate without burning the Zeppelin airship in which the gas mixture which has a very low pressure. "The aircraft could be the ideal solution for logistics support to aircraft carriers, and to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance," the source said British Royal Navy, told The Telegraph.

According to sources, the ability of modern Zeppelin transport goods up to 50 tons is a remarkable innovation. "That's more than double the capacity of a (plane) Hercules," he compares the modern Zeppelin with a giant-sized transport aircraft, Hercules. 

The aircraft is priced at U.S. $ 60 million of this could be flown from a distance as unmanned aircraft. Modern Zeppelin was not only interested in the military a number of countries. Commercial parties were interested in utilizing the sophistication and efficiency of this aircraft. Oil companies, for example, are looking at this type of aircraft to carry heavy equipment to remote drilling station without having to build an airfield. 

They also can open a relaxing and comfortable flight routes across the Atlantic while carrying 200 passengers in transit for 36 hours. Operational costs are also much more efficient, because the modern Zeppelin consumes only one-fifth of the fuel used jet aircraft. *** [TELEGRAPH | MAHARDIKA SATRIA HADI | KORAN TEMPO 3810]

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