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11-30-2011, 09:48 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 321
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fehdxl
Yes surprised.
I'm not a statistician, but three data points collecting snap-shot fuel flow data every 30 seconds...and a 3% change is significant?
Besides, what about lead's fuel flow going down by 3% while in formation vice in a gaggle...seems like inconsistent data to me.
Now if they measured fuel used with the same accuracy as their comparison of driving with the air-conditioning on & windows up vice a/c off & windows down, then I might be more apt to believe.
Just my thoughts about the analysis. The rest of the footage was great!
-Jim
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Thanks to Chuck Newman's excellent work, we had fuel flow to the 1/7000th of a gallon per hour...how much more accurate do you want it?
The savings were higher than reported, but I'll let the NASA guy (Steve Smith on this forum) defend the science...I are just the pilot.
Slick
__________________
Timothy Cone
Sierra Skypark (KE79) Fresno CA
RV-8, XP360, RV200
Flown Sept. 12, 2007
1600 hours on the hobbs and loving it
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12-01-2011, 11:49 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 479
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What an awesome episode, I've watched it 3 times already.
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Rick from Fresno
RV-7A
The art to flying lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.
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12-01-2011, 11:50 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Defiance, MO
Posts: 1,674
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steve91t
Was anybody else surprised at their results? I wasn't aware if you "rode" the wake, that it was more efficient, and how the lead plane was more efficient is beyond me. Some how the planes following the leader reduced it's drag? Kind of how in NASCAR, a car following the car in front can spin him out by taking air off his wing???
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I have not watched the show yet but have it on DVR.
Efficiency comes in reducing induced drag. Works like having a larger aspect ratio. Think of them as increasing your wing span. Lead plane gets the effect as well as those in trail. I have done studies for the big company as well as read NASA reports from back in the (early) B-52 days.
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Philip
RV-6A - 14+ years, 950+ hours
Based at 1H0 (Creve Coeur)
Paid dues yearly since 2007
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12-01-2011, 12:15 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Southbridge,MA
Posts: 193
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The Conga line approach didn't look like too much fun 
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Steve Stella
#40654 Finishing
N521RV reserved
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12-01-2011, 12:17 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newport, TN
Posts: 7,496
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Glad nobody died in the side by side formation...
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12-01-2011, 04:53 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NC25
Posts: 3,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brantel
Glad nobody died in the side by side formation...
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I do not understand the comment.
The " Skytypers" do it all the time and get paid to fly formation side by side.
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Gary A. Sobek
NC25 RV-6 Flying
3,400+ hours
Where is N157GS
Building RV-8 S/N: 80012
To most people, the sky is the limit.
To those who love aviation, the sky is home.
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12-01-2011, 05:02 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Molalla, Oregon (KOL05)
Posts: 529
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Safety first...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brantel
Glad nobody died in the side by side formation...
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All of the formations flown in the show were well briefed and practiced by well qualified pilots. While this particular formation is non-standard for most formation flying, as the camera ship pilot for the side by side flight, I can assure you that these guys were ROCK solid...
__________________
Joe Blank
RV-6
IO-320-D1A
Advanced Flight Systems
Van's Aircraft Inc. Technical Support-Retired
EAA Tech Counselor & Flight Advisor
www.westcoastravens.com
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12-01-2011, 05:33 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newport, TN
Posts: 7,496
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My formation experience is limited to one flight as a passenger in a flight where Gary was lead.
I have no idea what I am talking about but that looked dangerous to me.....I am most likely wrong.
Anyway, that was a cool episode and great job guys!
[ed. One of the mods deleted some of these replies w/o my knowledge. I think they are perfectly OK (about safety). Sorry for the hiccup and sure several of the formation qual'd folks with answer your Q's. dr]
Last edited by DeltaRomeo : 12-02-2011 at 02:11 PM.
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12-02-2011, 01:20 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,125
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Steve does decribe the science in this thread: http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=79555. Some great comments there, and I chimed in with some observations from the pilot's perspective. Cliff notes:
The benefit to the lead is not inconsistent.
The experiment was very successful, and we gathered some great data.
The conga line was no fun (really!)
Plus more...
Take a look there for more info. This was a fun project!
Cheers,
Bob
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12-02-2011, 05:54 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 426
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Reruns?
Quote:
Originally Posted by FresnoR
What an awesome episode, I've watched it 3 times already.
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I missed it, can you view it on the Internet or are there going to be reruns?
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John Adams
Seattle
RV7 600+hrs
Paid 12/2014
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