Northeast Ohio based aviation site: storiesthatfly.com
Posted By RichC on February 24, 2009
If you enjoy ‘grass roots’ aviation, you’ll enjoy the StoriesThatFly site based in the Northeastern part Ohio … or read a little bit about it here.
Patent granted for diesel engine 106 years ago today
Posted By RichC on February 23, 2009
For those that appreciate engineering and diesel automotive history, today was the day in 1893 that Rudolf Diesel was granted a German patent for his diesel engine design. Rather than burning gasoline in a cylinder with spark ignition, the diesel engine uses ‘fuel oil’ (or vegetable oil — peanut oil in Rudolf Diesel’s case) using compressed air in a cylinder. They have and are widely used in European cars because of their efficiency, power and longevity and have been the mainstay worldwide for heavy equipment. (ie. trucks, tractors, trains, ships, industrial equipment, etc)
It is interesting that the modern clean diesel has yet to catch on in the United States, partially due to to and argument associated with the old dirty (pre-2007 LSD) diesel fuels and environmental concerns, and in part due to its fail introduction by GM back in 1977, in my opinion. Some diesel advocates disagree believing that certain measured exhaust emission differences between petroleum diesel (or biodiesel) and gasoline isn’t evaluated properly and when fuel efficiency in taken into account, diesel engines are more environmentally sound than the gasoline engine in the long run.
Of course readers here know my bias for algae based biodiesel in combination with petroleum diesel in seeing a carbon neutral none food grade American produced fuel as the smartest current approach to using existing internal combustion technology and a new agricultural industry (algae biofuel) as both a way to reduce our reliance on foriegn oil and create new ‘green’ sector jobs for our country — and as a bonus reducing overall energy use based on using the more efficient diesel engine. (I find it hard to believe there isn’t a production diesel-hybrid yet?)
The Interpreter and a list of interesting words
Posted By RichC on February 22, 2009
We streamed the movie “The Interpreter” to our HD Tivo this weekend and besides being an excellent movie, I enjoyed a relatively unrelated scene where Silvia Broome, played by Nicole Kidman, reads from notebooks written in by her list making brother. One of the listed items (again unrelated) were interesting words … one of which I found particularly intriging. (below)
Plot summary for
The Interpreter (2005)
Escalating events begin when U.N. interpreter Silvia Broome alleges that she has overheard a death threat against an African head of state, spoken in a rare dialect few people other than Silvia can understand. With the words “The Teacher will never leave this room alive,” in an instant, Silvia’s life is turned upside down as she becomes a hunted target of the killers. Placed under the protection of federal agent Tobin Keller, Silvia’s world only grows more nightmarish. As Keller digs deeper into his eyewitnesses’ past and her secretive world of global connections, the more suspicious he becomes that she herself might be involved in the conspiracy. With every step of the way, he finds more reasons to mistrust her. Is Sylvia a victim? A suspect? Or something else entirely? And can Tobin, coping with his own personal heartache, keep her safe? Though they must depend on one another, Silvia and Tobin couldn’t be more different. Silvia’s strengths are words, diplomacy and the subtleties of meaning, while Tobin is all about instinct, action and reading into the most primal human behaviors. Now, as the danger of a major assassination on U.S. soil grows and Silvia’s life hangs in the balance, Silvia and Tobin play out a gripping dance of evasion and revelation that keeps them both guessing as they race to stop a terrifying international crisis before it’s too late. Written by Sujit R. Varma
Enjoyed driving the new 2009 BMW 335d
Posted By RichC on February 20, 2009
I called a friend of mine to check on his wife who was scheduled for surgery this week and after hearing that she was in recovery, our conversation shifted to the new 2009 BMW 335d that was sitting in front of the Akron area Dave Walter dealership. Although I know how the soft-sell enticement game works, I didn’t protest much went the “why don’t you take it for a test drive” lure was toss in front of my face. I took the bait thinking I would walk away satisfied to have driven this polished car, but the hook snagged me and I’ve been unable to shake it since Thursday.
Compared to the VW TDI diesels that I’m use to driving, the BMW 3-series diesel is considerably more expensive (see sticker), but comes with a few more BMW standard goodies, a reputation as one of the finest handling 4-door sedans, a couple more cylinders and an extra turbocharger. This 3.0L 6 cylinder twin turbo creates a locomotive worthy 425 ft.lbs of torque an 265 horsepower, which is more than enough to get this oil burner to 60 in 5.7 seconds, so says Car and Driver. All I know is when I planted my foot down on the throttle on an interstate entrance ramp that it made merging into traffic a breeze. The engine noise was a bit more dieselish than the ultra quiet award winning 2009 VW TDI clean diesel, but not at all offensive to those who’ve owned diesel cars. In fact, the noise is not the diesel clatter of a truck or older diesel car, but instead a deep throaty growl. Beside the attractive touch and visual appeal, this beast now had won over my ears.
There was also no doubt that this car was a balance German Autobahn cruiser as lane changes were snappy at a bit above the legal speed limit and it felt like a glove. The even weight distribution of the 3-series BMW was all still there even with this slightly heavier engine. The six-speed automatic never once was searching for the right gear and it didn’t eve occur to me that I wanted a manual transmission … or dual clutch gearbox (which would be nice).
The model I drove was minimally equipped, although had a nice sunroof and comfortable heated seats. I sort of wanted to play with the new i-Drive Nav gadgets, but wonder if this signicantly priced upgrade would really be worth it? The climate control was dual zone and had heat pumping quickly into the smallish cabin and relatively simple to operate. The driver’s power seat was infinitely adjustable and I quickly found that it fit me well … can’t say as much for the back seat. As for the truck, it might be challenging to get two full sets of clubs into it, especially if an overnight bag was also needed? (you’re not buying this car as a family tripmaker although I could comfortably make weekday and weekend trips)
All in all, the price is out of line IMHO. $45K is a lot of money for a smallish diesel performance car and if you want a few gadgets, this car would be easy to add another $10K onto … and $55,000+ is way too much even with the $900 diesel tax credit that applies; it is hard to see BMW selling many at this price. (are diesel BMWs this high in Europe?)
2009 BMW 335d – from Car and Driver review
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
BASE PRICE: $44,725
ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve diesel inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 cu in, 2993cc
Power (SAE net): 265 bhp @ 4200 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 425 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manumatic shifting
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 108.7 in Length: 178.8 in Width: 71.5 in Height: 55.9 in
Curb weight: 3800 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 5.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 14.2 sec
Zero to 120 mph: 21.8 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 6.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.2 sec @ 100 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 128 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 161 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.89 g
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 23/36 mpg
DJIA only 25 points above November 2008 intraday low
Posted By RichC on February 19, 2009
Traders saw most stocks fall on Thursday, putting the Dow Jones Industrial Average back on a bear-market closing low track. The financial sector continued to decline and there was little desire by investors to buy equities with the gloomy economic data.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 89.68 points, or 1.2%, to close at 7465.95 which is only 25 point above the intraday low of 7449.38 set in on November 21st of last year. There has been little for investors to cheer.
On a different note, here’s CNBC’s Rick Santelli and his so called “Rant of the Year” from Wednesday. I’d say he is a bit irritated at Washington DC’s (Dems) plan to stem mortgage defaults by stepping in to help.
Just another ‘snowy’ Thursday
Posted By RichC on February 19, 2009
Posting a Palm Treo 700p photo from the road … heading south from Cleveland on I-71 Thursday afternoon. Enough is enough with winter and snow; I’m ready for spring. Here’s a morning photos after the “lake effect” snows blanketed NE Ohio.
Building Widgets with Widgetbox.com
Posted By RichC on February 19, 2009
Thought I would test a simple “web widgets” building site at Widgetbox.com that helps users create simple scripts for blogs, websites or social networking sites. So far so good although I’m not sure I need anymore content sardined onto my computer desktop, homepage or blog?
Here are a couple, one widget which helps to find the lowest price gas or diesel sold in your zip code area.
Warming up my Trangia backpacking stove
Posted By RichC on February 18, 2009
My wife has hinted that she was “ok” with me planning a backpacking trip with my buddy this year, so I started sifting through my gear (we regularly went we were younger) in anticipation of planning a trip to the mountains. One exceptionally great piece of gear that makes a long day of hiking more comfortable is the $14 Tringia alcohol stove. It is one of the more popular small backpacking stoves and is ideal for simple trail-side cooking or heating of meals. Its a Swedish made lightweight stove that has as its primary attribute “simplicity.”
Rarely does one hear of a failure when it comes to a simple alcohol burner … although when I used alcohol stoves on a sailboatwhen I used alcohol stoves on a sailboat I wasn’t really fond of them and preferred the more explosive propane gas fueled stoves — I would have used lighter than air compressed natural gas IF we could have found it more convenient. Nevertheless, alchohol stoves are safer, simpler and lighter — exactly what a backpacker needs.
Compared to natural gas/propane or any pressurized fuel stove which is easier to cook on and can heat faster than a non-pressurized alcohol stove (takes about 15 minutes to boil water for my coffee or tea), the weight of the simplier Trangia burner (or homemade pop can variety) is far easier to pack and carry … especially if you are working hard to keep you carrying weight down. The fuel is also easier to pack than pressurized gas and I keep mine in a lightweight bottle which works better with the corrosive methanol fuel. Because there are no pumps or valves to fail, the Trangia is near foolproof and functions every time with a single match in all but the highest altitudes and coldest weather (preheating helps).
The clean flame of alcohol fuel is environmentally correct in today’s culture and fits right in with most hikers’ desire to care for the wilderness they are enjoying. For trips under a week, a Trangia stove, and a menu that fits the flame, are an excellent choice for the trail.
If you don’t already have a ‘mess kit’ or you’re own backpacking cook gear, Trangia also make a nice nesting set of non-stick cookware.
Inspirational Sport Pilot: Look mom, no hands!
Posted By RichC on February 17, 2009
A friend of mine passed this along and I though a few here might enjoy the inspirational story and watching the video.
Jessica Cox, born without arms, recently earned her sport pilot license at Ray Blair Airport in San Manuel, Arizona. She flies this Ercoupe plane the way she does most other things in her life — with her feet.
Last windstorm knocked down another tree
Posted By RichC on February 16, 2009
Looks like I’ll need to do a bit more clean up sometime this week as the wind has knocked down one of our dying pine trees. I can’t say that I don’t expect to loose a few more, but its always depressing to loose a little more property line privacy.
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.