Flying Car: Terrafugia’s Transition Roadable Aircraft
Posted By RichC on January 23, 2009
The Transition is another one of those flying car “dream” ideas (or as Terrafugia calls it, “a roadable aircraft”) which seems to be really moving closer in bringing driving and flying together. According to a the company’s website, this concept car/plane was founded in 2006 by a group of MIT students. They have work diligently on the protype and are seriously planning on delivering these vehicles. The sell price is currently noted as $194,000 and the company as already taken deposits for 40 Transitions for a first delivery in 2010.
What is unique about this “Sport Aircraft” is that it falls in to the Sport Pilot category and looks to be able to make driving to the airport and taking off in the same vehicle a reality (nice to be able to save that $200+/mo. on on hanger space). What makes this new aircraft possible are the advances in materials and propulsion technology not afford before composites and lightweight, but high performance engines.
Performance
| Cruise: 100 kts (115 mph) Rotate: 70 kts (80 mph) Stall: 45 kts (51 mph) Range: 400nm (460 mi) Takeoff over 50′ obstacle: 1700′ |
Fuel burn: 5 gph Fuel tank: 20 gallons Useful Load: 430 lbs On road: 30 mpg, 65 mph Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) |
Convenience
Front wheel drive on the ground
Automotive-style entry and exit
Automated electromechanical folding wing
No trailer or hangar needed
Cargo area holds skis, fishing poles or golf clubs
Safety
Drive in case of inclement weather
Proven 100 hp Rotax 912S engine
Full vehicle parachute available
Modern glass avionics
Automotive crash safety features
Dimensions
| Folded: 6’ 9” tall 80” wide 18’ 9” long |
Airplane: 6’ 3” tall 19’ 2” long Wingspan: 27’ 6” |
Cockpit: 51” at the shoulder |
First delivery anticipated in 2010.
Walt Mossberg gives his first impression of Windows 7 Beta
Posted By RichC on January 22, 2009
The Wall Street Journal‘s Personal Technology columnist Walt Mossberg has given his preliminary review of Microsoft’s recently released beta Windows 7. According to Mossberg, the most important improvement from the much maligned Vista OS is speed. In his initial tests, “even the beta version of Windows 7 was dramatically faster than Vista at such tasks as starting up the computer, waking it from sleep and launching programs.”
Walt Mossberg goes on to say that the “speed boost wasn’t only apparent in the preconfigured machine from Microsoft, but on [his] own Sony, which had been a dog using Vista.”
As a grumpy Vista OS user myself, I’m looking forward to giving it a go … but am unsure what computer to test it on? I also use a couple Macs so no snide comments are necessary.
Motorweek reviews the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
Posted By RichC on January 21, 2009
The long running weekly PBS automotive program Motorweek reviewed the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI on last weekend’s show. As expected, they gave it a pretty decent review mentioning that it is now 50 state legal and clarified the emission control features that differentiates it from the “AdBlue” diesels.
The inauguration of President Barack Obama
Posted By RichC on January 20, 2009
The Historic Inauguration of President Barack Obama - view on Jan. 20, 2009
On January 20, 2009, Americans saw the power of peaceful change as President George Walker Bush stepped aside and heard the crowds cheered as President Barack Hussein Obama took office. Throngs of well-wishers filled Washington DC preceding today’s inauguration and many others gathered around televisions to watch this historic moment. It is a great testament to our great country to see such a site.
(Flickr.com slideshow removed)
I enjoyed the ceremony on television (some of it) and found it impressive to see past Presidents and Vice Presidents, and their wives, all gathered to welcome the Obamas and Bidens. Pastor Rick Warren delivered the prayer (mp3), Chief Justice Roberts swore in the new President and our new Commander in Chief delivered an inspiring inauguration speech.
Change has come to Whitehouse.gov too -- linked to 'new' site
The Presidents’ popularity Past and Present
Posted By RichC on January 20, 2009
The Wallstreet Journal took a look at the job approval rating of our Presidents.
The graph illustrates public opinion of Presidents from Truman through George W. Bush. Th popularity of each President rises and falls as they were faced different crisis situations. Only President Truman and George W. Bush have seen both support as high as 80% and as low as 20% in their terms.
Detailed graphs for each President (and key crisis points) are below. The charts show specific events that changed the way our citizens viewed the leaders of our nation. (click on each individual graph to display a larger image)
 Truman |
 Eisenhower |
 Kennedy |
 Johnson |
 Nixon |
Ford |
 Carter |
Reagan |
|
G W H Bush |
Clinton |
 G W Bush |
Why Palm now has a better chance of success
Posted By RichC on January 19, 2009
Here’s another excellent Palm Pre interview, this time a little more of “Why they will succeed” from a business oriented perspective. (also $425 million from Elevation Partners doesn’t hurt either)
Tampa Two a Steeler/Cardinal Superbowl XLIII is set
Posted By RichC on January 19, 2009
“Tampa Two,” as Superbowl XLIII is being slated will be between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals.
The Steelers put down the Baltimore Ravens this weekend 23 -14 while the long time “dysfunctional” Arizona Cardinals will make there first appearance by a 32 -25 win against the Philidelphia Eagles.
Hello my name is Rich, I’m a 24-a-holic
Posted By RichC on January 18, 2009
“Hello my name is Rich, I’m a 24-a-holic” and I am addicted to the Fox Television Series 24, yet I haven’t watch the current season yet. The intense neverending show has kept both my wife and I at the edge of our seats … or bed … depending where we watched it from. Blockbuster much surely be happy since we have singlehandedly kept at least on of their store’s afloat by renting DVD after DVD each weekend. Thankfully most of their older television series DVDs (4 shows per disk) are priced at 99 cents with only the recent season at $1.99 per DVD; its still cheaper than renting a movie.
We are almost caught up to the current season – which is two shows in, according to my Tivo “season pass” settings — so “no spoilers.”
I have particularly enjoyed the use of technology in the show and have noticed the change in tech gadgets as each season progresses. I can only imagine what we’ll think in 10 -20 years? The one item that really makes me smile is when Jack Bauer holds his Sprint branded Palm Treo … I took this photo with “my Palm Treo 700p” while watching an episode from Season Six last night. Maybe they’ll have the Palm Pre next year?
Coast Guard video of US Air Flight 1549 landing and rescue
Posted By RichC on January 17, 2009
A new USCGImagery video shows how impressive the landing (about 2 minutes into the clip), exit and immediate rescue was from the US Airways Flight 1549. The plane impacted the Hudson River at about 3:31 PM and within a few second passengers were out on the wings and emergency slides. As the camera zooms in it is easy to see the emergency exit and the the first ferry showing up at 3:35 — that’s only 2 minutes after the water landing. As I said in the previous post, miraculous and incredible.
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.