My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on February 20, 2006

George Washington was actually born on February 11, but a bill drafted in 1968 becoming law in 1971 has created a day that celebrated two US Presidents: Washington and Lincoln. The final day picked to celebrate these men ended up being the 3rd Monday in February, but the name was never officially changed from “Washington’s Birthday” — although most calendars and Americans designate it as Presidents’ Day.

Interestingly, FoxNews broadcasted a Presidents’ Day trivia question this morning while announcing that President Bush was kicking off his week long push to promote alternative energy. I believe there were three President in the 20th century never to have held elected office prior to being President — how about you? (See clip below) It is good to see the bully pulpit being put to work in promoting something that ‘should,’ for the most part, receive universal support. Attention to our “petroleum addiction” from politicians is a good thing, but let’s leave the refinement of policy to scientists and engineers while we fire up capitalism and the sleeping US corporations to move this agenda along. If Americans can get to the moon in 10 years, certainly we can take a bite out of our oil importation?

Category: Video | 2 Comments »
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Posted By RichC on February 20, 2006

I’ll make this a short post as the video (click read the rest of story) pretty much tells the whole story. First, “the girl,” yes female rider, driving the motorcycle is fine. She had no broken bones and is thankful not to have been rear-ended. After watching these kinds of accidents, no matter how much I find myself wanting a motorcycle, I realize how dangerous “the other drivers” on the road can be. (I’ll bet the RallyVW team could use a camera like this???)

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Posted By RichC on February 19, 2006

The Daytona 500 ran today, as it does every year at this time to kick off the NASCAR season. Jimmy Johnson won in his Lowes sponsored #48 Chevrolet ten days after his crew chief was kicked out for illegally altering his car. Besides the ‘taint’ on the victory, Johnson drove a competitive race as did all the drivers; this capped off a exciting week for fans. BTW … Bon Jovi kicked off the race today with music enjoyed by participants and fans alike. See short video clip at the end of this post.

Since most of you will find enough press covering the Daytona 500, I thought I would comment on another upcoming race — The Greatest Auto Race of 2008. Preparations are being made to run an anniversary race — the 100 year anniversary of The Greatest Auto Race. The first race started in Times Square on February 12, 1908 and traveled a 22,000 mile trip around the world to Paris France. The national teams from several countries attempted to be first to complete the trip having to plow through snowstorms in the American Heartland and traverse nearly impossible terrain in parts of Asia. The race was eventually completed by 3 of the teams but Thomas Flyer of the US was given the victory after the German team was penalized.

The anniversary race will begin February 12, 2008 and will contain several classes while closely patterning the original race. Next year’s event will be a rally style race around the world and offer a $1,000,000 purse. Great Race 2008, as it is called, will start in New York City 100 years to the day after the start of the “Greatest Auto Race,” and travel the 22,000 miles to Paris, France just as the 1908 race did.

There will be 40 teams, 20 vintage pre-1969 vehicles and 20 competing in the latest in automotive technologies such as alternative-fuel vehicles. Each of 20 teams will pick a technology that can meet the challenge of successfully completing a race over 22,000 miles in 80 days. They will all require top-notch rally-racing techniques yet in a vehicle that is fuel efficient and runs on alternative fuels. Most of all they must be able to endure extreme conditions that the 22,000 mile route will present. Fuel type and availability, technological reliability and driver endurance will be critical to finishing the race. This will be a fun race to follow. I’m cheering for a BIODIESEL powered hybrid! (if there is one?)
🙂

Category: Automotive, Video | No Comments »
Tags: bonjovi, daytona500, nascar, racing

Posted By RichC on February 18, 2006

How many specialty lubricants are made for cars? I don’t know but there sure are a bunch. Do we need them all? I participate in several car forums and nothing causes as much debate as what oils and lubricants to use in and on our cars. Opinions vary and loyalty to brands can generate strong emotions. To appease the masses, about the only safe conclusion is to refer to the specifications recommended by the manufacturer. (although if you drive a VW TDI there will be disagreement even with that!)
🙂
For some general advice, a February 2006 episode of Motorweek is worth listening too. In the Goss’ Garage segment, Pat Goss reviews a few specialty products that do-it-yourself mechanics often overlook; be sure to check out the short Quicktime video clip to see what he recommends.

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Posted By RichC on February 17, 2006

Automotive News published a story shedding a few more details on Volkswagen’s new Golf-sized SUV code named “Concept A.” VW brand chairman Wolfgang Bernhard indicated that they wanted to have a vehicle that would compete with the BMW X3 (I’m not sure they can?) and referred to the Concept A as the Touareg’s “Little Brother.” Cute, huh?
🙂

The Golf sized SUV will be unveiled publicly at the Geneva Auto Show the final week of this month and begin production as a 2007 vehicle. According to Bernard it will be marketed “with a reasonable price” and will be a “go-anywhere” coupe. The photo above is of the concept, although according to Jason Stein of Automotive News, “the production version of the one-off show car will be less flamboyant in production form.”

Powertrain options are stated to be initially VW’s 148 hp 1.4 liter direct-injection Twin Super and Turbo charger engine that is found in the European Golf GT. The supercharger offers low end pull and the turbo charger kicks in at the higher RPMs. Stein reports that it is rumored the Golf GTI 197 hp turbocharged 2.0 liter and the Golf GTD’s 170 hp 2.0 liter turbodiesel could be offerred.

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Posted By RichC on February 16, 2006

Thanks to EAA friend Mark Keener and his scrutiny of all things aviation, a video clip of Larry Neal flying his Super Sky Cycle was brought to my attention – its an interesting flying motorcycle prototype nearing kit production. I know what you’re thinking, “But Rich, the media has been telling us about these kinds of things for decades, why is this any different?” Maybe it’s not, but on the surface, it looks pretty good.

The Super Sky Cycle design by Larry Neal was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,978,969 on Dec. 27 2005 and will help open the door to technology protection in regards to his rotorcraft. What’s particularly unique is that this motorcycle looking ‘flying machine’ is that he has a patent that covers a vehicle with a folding rotor shaft and transmission to power either the drive propeller or wheels.” According to Neal, “The problem with flying cars in the past was what to do with the wings once you were on the ground. With a gyroplane, just fold the rotor blades and drive on down the road. Using rotor blades for the wings of a flying car makes the fly-drive Super Sky Cycle a new kind of vehicle.”

Larry Neal and investors in ButterflyLLC, plan to market their “fly-drive” vehicle as an experimental kit. In a press statement that explains a few of the components that are incorporated in the Super Sky Cycle. It is powered by a Rotax 582 engine (commonly used in a variety of Ultralight Aircraft) and uses a three-blade 60-inch propeller and unpowered folding rotor blades for lift. Although this patented flying motorcycle is based on the Monarch Butterfly experimental aircraft, the Super Sky Cycle has just recently made its maiden flight. (December 23, 2005) Neal’s new fly-drive vehicle is capable of flying as slow as 20 mph, cruises at 50 mph using half throttle, and tops out at 65 mph. It has been designed to land in about 20 feet and when folded will fit in a standard garage.

I’m slowly progressing on a plan based experimental airplane project myself (Sonex), and like all aviation enthusiasts continue to admire almost all personal flying machines. In my blog, I’ve enjoyed commenting on 1930’s aircraft which have similarities to Larry Neal’s projects, like the Pitcairn PA-18 Autogiro, or pondering the vision of a company designing the AMV-211 concept. It is interesting to monitor and contemplate what the future of personal aviation has to offer.

Want to know what Larry Neal is planning next? All one has to do is to see what on the workshop table. (ie. a two-place Super Sky Car!)

For those of you thinking about attending “Sun’n Fun” fly-in at Lakeland, Florida (April 4-10), be sure to say hello to Larry Neal and check out his Super Sky Cycle. BTW … he plans on demonstrating it in both flying and driving modes.

Larry Neal and his Super Sky Cycle – WFAA News Clip

Category: Aviation, Video | 6 Comments »
Tags: larry neal, super sky cycle

Posted By RichC on February 16, 2006

Ready for something different? How about a bedtime story about an Octopus and a Shark.

Category: Environment, Nature | No Comments »
Tags: great white shark, sharks

Posted By RichC on February 15, 2006

Belco Holdings Limited announced that it has entered into a contract with Current to Current Bermuda Limited, a subsidiary of the U.S. firm Current to Current Corporation based in Massachusetts, to purchase electical power generated by underwater currents. Power should be available by the end of 2007 through a generator and turbine sunk in the sea off Bermuda. This will be the first commercial venture of its size to displace a portion of the islands electrical energy needs.

Yesterday Belco executives revealed how they intend to capture ocean currents and that they initially plan on generating nearly ten per cent of the Island’s electricity needs. The agreement is a 20-year deal and is a fully submersible ocean power system. This is a radical step in generating clean electrical power. The planning has yet to be completed and final permissions and site location will be needed from government of Bermuda, although the Belco president and chief executive officer Garry Madeiros said he was confident the plans would get the green light According to Belco executives, if this pilot generator is successful, further underwater units could be sunk to meet more of Bermuda’s electricity needs.

The underwater generator is 150ft long and contains a four-blade turbine inside. Mr. Madeiros was quoted at saying that this deep sea electric generating system is “mind-boggling,” and that “This is cutting edge technology, not used anywhere else. One can’t help but get excited by this technology.”

Bermuda has taxed its current fossil fuel electrically generation system many times, experiencing a blackout in July of 2005. As the price of fuel rises, so does the cost of Island electricity and reliance on one single energy source. This techology “theoretically” could change that dependency over night.

Bermuda was chosen as the first country to pilot test generating power from ocean currents. The generator will be approximately 75 and 200 meters below sea level and will provide power to a substation on land. This will feed straight into the Belco’s power grid. Placing the generator at these depths means that they will not be affected by sea storms or hurricanes. It would also be sited too deep for divers to make contact. Energy experts from Current to Current will now investigate where the strongest currents are relation to several south shore locations and then recommend the best sites to the Bermuda government.

The inventor, Dr. Manfred Kuehnle, has hundreds of patents to his name, including the first optical spy satellite for the US Government and the first readable credit card machine. Dr. Kuehnle created an innovative gearbox in the underwater power unit, allowing it to capture currents to provide large volume electricity production, suitable for commercial use, unlike other ocean current devices. This particular unit will be built in America and barged to Bermuda. Once in place, it can be remotely controlled and monitored by both Current to Current and Belco.

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Posted By RichC on February 15, 2006

(left to right) Tony Anderson, Fayette Co. Commissioner; John Carey, Senator; John Schlichter, State Rep; Steve Durham, ASAlliances; Fred Dailey, Director, ODA; Mike Wagner, Ohio Corn Growers; Dwayne Seikman, Ohio Corn Growers; Ruth Kimmelshue, Cargill Ag Horizons; David Williamson, ODOD

The Tri-State Clean Fuels Network announced the ground-breaking for Ohio’s 100-million gallon per year Ethanol Facility in its February 14, 2006 newsletter. This is good news for Ohio and those interested in cleaner, renewable, domestic fuels that will run in existing dual fuel vehicles. (for a listing check the Department of Energy website)

A crowd of over 100 gathered in Bloomingburg, Ohio to participate in the ceremonies marking the construction of a 100-million gallon-per-year ethanol production facility. The facility, financed by ASAlliances Biofuels, LLC, is expected to generate affordable renewable energy, create 58 jobs and provide a market for 40 million bushels of corn per year. The Bloominburg facility will help meet the country’s growing appetite for affordable, cleaner-burning, renewable energy sources. One bushel of corn produces 2.8 gallons of ethanol. For every 37 gallons of ethanol produced, one barrel of imported crude oil is saved. Domestic demand for ethanol is expected to grow well into the future. Ethanol’s production capacity is expected to double in seven years.

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Posted By RichC on February 14, 2006

The U.S. now has an estimated 7066 pairs of nesting Bald Eagles in the lower 48 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today reopened the public comment on its 1999 proposal to remove the bird from the endangered species list. The director Dale Hall states that “The recovery of the bald eagle, our national symbol, is also a great national success story and the actions we take today reemphasize the management efforts that have proven so successful in recovering eagle populations. Should the eagle be delisted, we expect that the public will notice little change in how eagles are managed and protected.”

When wildlife is ‘delisted’ from the Endangered Species Act, animals and birds like bald eagles will continue to be protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Both acts protect bald eagles by prohibiting killing, selling or otherwise harming eagles, their nests or eggs.

According to Sci-Tech Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also proposing a regulation to clarify the term “disturb” under BGEPA that is consistent with existing Federal and State interpretation. “Under the clarification, “disturb” would be defined as actions that disrupt the breeding, feeding or sheltering practices of an eagle, causing injury, death or nest abandonment. This is the standard the Service has used informally over the years and how states have interpreted the statute. The proposed regulation defining “disturb” would codify it.”

The low point for the Bald Eagle was in 1963, when only 417 nesting pairs were known to exist in the United States. At one time, the bald eagle flourished in every state except Hawaii. Once measures were taken to reduce pollution and clean up our use chemicals in farming, the recovery of the bald eagles re-established in most areas at an impressive rate. Most environmentalist contribute the ban on the pesticide DDT in 1972 as the turning point in saving this endangered species.

Sci-Tech Today reports that if the bald eagle is delisted, the Service will work with state wildlife agencies to monitor the status of the species for a minimum of five years, as required by the Endangered Species Act. A draft monitoring plan is expected to be released for public comment should the species be delisted. If at any time it becomes evident that the bald eagle again needs the Act’s protection, the Service will propose to relist the species.

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