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#11
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ZZZ Rocket Racer LeagueZZZ
ChuckSlusarczyk wrote:
I'd bet a nickle the closest he gets to flying one of those racers will be a photo op with him in the cockpit .That way he can get rid of the pic of him in the engineless F-104 and replace it with something newer :-) Chuck S RAH-14/1 ret "I'll believe it when I see it " I believe that the chance of Captain Zoom ever racing a rocket is less than the chance of me ever flying that F-104. But I'll issue a public apology to Jim Campbell if he ever acts as PIC in a Rocket Race. - Filbert |
#12
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ZZZ Rocket Racer LeagueZZZ
On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:10:07 -0700, John Ousterhout
wrote: ChuckSlusarczyk wrote: I'd bet a nickle the closest he gets to flying one of those racers will be a photo op with him in the cockpit .That way he can get rid of the pic of him in the engineless F-104 and replace it with something newer :-) I believe that the chance of Captain Zoom ever racing a rocket is less than the chance of me ever flying that F-104. But I'll issue a public apology to Jim Campbell if he ever acts as PIC in a Rocket Race. Better define "Race," Filbert...two planes chasing each other, like the fake Reno races at Oshkosh? Or an actual competition where the winners aren't pre-programmed? According to Wikipedia, the race course is at 1,500 feet, following a computer-generated course. Funny thing is, five minutes worth of clicking on the RRL site didn't lead to a description that even gave THAT much information. Until you find out what RRL's definition of a "race" is, I wouldn't place any bets. Did find this picture on the RRL site, which is a real howler: http://www.rocketracingleague.com/ga.../runwaybig.jpg Note how the runway is just two wingspans wide, and the grandstands are RIGHT at the runway edge. We're finally seeing the results of Campbell's input. :-) Each race (again, according to Wikipedia) is supposed to last 90 minutes, with the planes carrying four minutes of fuel. World record for a rocket pit stop is something like three hours. Even if they get that down to 15 minutes (including the time to tow the plane to the fuel station and back to the runway), that's STILL a lot of gliding time. Ron Wanttaja |
#13
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ZZZ Rocket Racer LeagueZZZ
In article , Ron Wanttaja says...
On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:10:07 -0700, John Ousterhout wrote: Better define "Race," Filbert...two planes chasing each other, like the fake Reno races at Oshkosh? Or an actual competition where the winners aren't pre-programmed? According to Wikipedia, the race course is at 1,500 feet, following a computer-generated course. Funny thing is, five minutes worth of clicking on the RRL site didn't lead to a description that even gave THAT much information. Until you find out what RRL's definition of a "race" is, I wouldn't place any bets. Hmmm perception and reality at work here? The zoom touch is alive and well LOL!!! Did find this picture on the RRL site, which is a real howler: http://www.rocketracingleague.com/ga.../runwaybig.jpg Note how the runway is just two wingspans wide, and the grandstands are RIGHT at the runway edge. We're finally seeing the results of Campbell's input. :-) That certainly isn't FAA's idea of a "crowd line" try having an airshow with the crowd line so close to the action...NOT!! more perception and reality problems. Each race (again, according to Wikipedia) is supposed to last 90 minutes, with the planes carrying four minutes of fuel. World record for a rocket pit stop is something like three hours. Even if they get that down to 15 minutes (including the time to tow the plane to the fuel station and back to the runway), that's STILL a lot of gliding time. I can hear the race announcer now ." Ladies and gentleman the race is on and see that imaginary race course in the sky ? See how many of you can tell who's winning the race OOOPPPS time for a pit stop while the action switches to the pits for refueling. While they're purging the tanks and doing a pre cool now's the time to go for a dinner and visit of our sales mall.There you can enjoy a sit down meal and dancing while the kids buy overpriced rocket models and play in the game room. After dinner and dancing return to your seats for the exciting conclusion of the ROCKET RACING's First heat.Thrills ,chills and excitement await us as the Racers try to start their engines and OOOPPS we had a flame out ...Time to visit out inhouse theater and watch an exciting movie staring the hero of stage screen and Tv as he stars in the exciting movie the "Amazing Adventures of Capt Zoom hero of the Universe". While the refueling continues the Burbank RC Flyers will do a demonstration of pylon racing with REAL model pylon racers.Now that's racing folks...While we're waiting for the Pylon Racers to show up .Take a visit to our ..... I can hardly wait.... Chuck S RAH-14/1 ret |
#14
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ZZZ Rocket Racer LeagueZZZ
Is it just me or does the whole rocket racing league sound like a bad idea? I'll admit I haven't looked into it much but it just feels like an real bad series of accidents waiting to happen. |
#15
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ZZZ Rocket Racer LeagueZZZ
On Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:09:07 -0500, Gig 601Xl Builder
wrote: Is it just me or does the whole rocket racing league sound like a bad idea? I'll admit I haven't looked into it much but it just feels like an real bad series of accidents waiting to happen. Well, let's see: 1. Each race ends with an emergency (e.g., an aircraft without of fuel). 2. If the race starts the way the RRL promotional artwork shows, multiple aircraft will run out of fuel at the same time. 3. Ground tow vehicles will need to enter the active runway to drag the planes off...while, of course, other planes are landing deadstick. I'm sure SOP will be for the pilots to attempt to coast off at a taxiway, but we know that will not happen all the time. 4. As I mentioned on a previous posting, the current record for refueling a rocket plane to take off again will need to be bettered by a factor of ten or twelve times. 5. This rapid refueling involves liquid oxygen at about -300 degrees F. Not only are there the considerations involving dumping cryogenic fuel into a vehicle holding a hot rocket engine, there are the hazards involved with LOX itself. According to some online safety data, LOX can react violently with "...oil, grease, asphalt, kerosene, cloth, tar, and dirt that may contain oil or grease...." All of which are rife at a typical airport. And, again, keep in mind the crew will be working *fast*...this IS a race, after all. 6. With LOX involved, most accidents are likely to be fatal for the pilot, with huge fireballs. Responders (it's not likely they'll be "rescue crews") will have to don appropriate protective gear. 7. To give them any chance at all, the pilots will need to wear complete protective suits...which will probably hamper their vision. 8. There are no pylons or ground references for the course...pilots are apparently going to be monitoring 3-D imagery through a HUD. While in close proximity to other aircraft. While wearing a protective suit. On the plus side, none of this should endanger spectators, as long as the pit areas are kept far away (and preferably downwind). It's even more exciting contemplating how the financial model for this is going to work. All the aircraft, all the refueling stations, all the projection TVs, etc. are going to have to be trucked to each race location. It'll take a while to set up and get working right. Large hangars will have to be rented. Crowd control, parking, concessions, porta-potties, everything involved in a major public event have to be arranged. RRL is marketed as "NASCAR in the Sky," but NASCAR holds its events in permanent facilities with all these problems already taken care of. RRL was supposed to hold its first event about two years ago; we're four months from the first "race" and you can bet neither EAA nor Reno will be handing over any gate receipts.... Ron Wanttaja |
#16
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ZZZ Rocket Racer LeagueZZZ
Ron Wanttaja wrote:
Well, let's see: OK, Ron, I'll agree with all your points except for the very first one: 1. Each race ends with an emergency (e.g., an aircraft without of fuel). By this definition there are a powerful lot of soaring events/races that are nothing but emergencies. -- Frank Stutzman Bonanza N494B "Hula Girl" Boise, ID |
#17
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ZZZ Rocket Racer LeagueZZZ
On Apr 22, 5:59*am, ChuckSlusarczyk
wrote: In article , Ron Wanttaja says.... On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:10:07 -0700, John Ousterhout wrote: Better define "Race," Filbert...two planes chasing each other, like the fake Reno races at Oshkosh? *Or an actual competition where the winners aren't pre-programmed? According to Wikipedia, the race course is at 1,500 feet, following a computer-generated course. *Funny thing is, five minutes worth of clicking on the RRL site didn't lead to a description that even gave THAT much information. Until you find out what RRL's definition of a "race" is, I wouldn't place any bets. Hmmm perception and reality at work here? The zoom touch is alive and well LOL!!! Did find this picture on the RRL site, which is a real howler: http://www.rocketracingleague.com/ga...s/images/runwa... Note how the runway is just two wingspans wide, and the grandstands are RIGHT at the runway edge. *We're finally seeing the results of Campbell's input. :-) That certainly isn't FAA's idea of a "crowd line" try having an airshow with the crowd line so close to the action...NOT!! more perception and reality problems. Each race (again, according to Wikipedia) is supposed to last 90 minutes, with the planes carrying four minutes of fuel. *World record for a rocket pit stop is something like three hours. *Even if they get that down to 15 minutes (including the time to tow the plane to the fuel station and back to the runway), that's STILL a lot of gliding time. I can hear the race announcer now ." Ladies and gentleman the race is on and see that imaginary race course in the sky ? See how many of you can tell who's winning the race OOOPPPS time for a pit stop while the action switches to the pits for refueling. While they're purging the tanks and doing a pre cool now's the time to go for a dinner and visit of our sales mall.There you can enjoy a sit down meal and dancing while the kids buy overpriced rocket models and play *in the game room. After dinner and dancing return to your seats for the exciting conclusion of the ROCKET *RACING's First heat.Thrills ,chills and excitement await us as the Racers try to start their engines and OOOPPS we had a flame out ...Time to visit out inhouse theater and watch an exciting movie staring the hero of stage screen and Tv as he stars in the exciting movie the "Amazing Adventures of Capt Zoom hero of the Universe". While the refueling continues the Burbank RC Flyers will do a demonstration of pylon racing with REAL model pylon racers.Now that's racing *folks...While we're waiting for the Pylon Racers to show up .Take a visit to our ..... I can hardly wait.... Chuck S RAH-14/1 ret That is just about my opinion of this pipe dream from the day I first heard about it. It is running on what? 2 years? 3 years? now and no progress that I have heard about, no planes flying that have been reported in the news... Bottom line? Don't hold your breath folks. Harry K |
#18
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ZZZ Rocket Racer LeagueZZZ
Harry K wrote: On Apr 22, 5:59�am, ChuckSlusarczyk wrote: In article , Ron Wanttaja says... On Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:10:07 -0700, John Ousterhout wrote: Better define "Race," Filbert...two planes chasing each other, like the fake Reno races at Oshkosh? �Or an actual competition where the winners aren't pre-programmed? According to Wikipedia, the race course is at 1,500 feet, following a computer-generated course. �Funny thing is, five minutes worth of clicking on the RRL site didn't lead to a description that even gave THAT much information. Until you find out what RRL's definition of a "race" is, I wouldn't place any bets. Hmmm perception and reality at work here? The zoom touch is alive and well LOL!!! Did find this picture on the RRL site, which is a real howler: http://www.rocketracingleague.com/ga...s/images/runwa.... Note how the runway is just two wingspans wide, and the grandstands are RIGHT at the runway edge. �We're finally seeing the results of Campbell's input. :-) That certainly isn't FAA's idea of a "crowd line" try having an airshow with the crowd line so close to the action...NOT!! more perception and reality problems. Each race (again, according to Wikipedia) is supposed to last 90 minutes, with the planes carrying four minutes of fuel. �World record for a rocket pit stop is something like three hours. �Even if they get that down to 15 minutes (including the time to tow the plane to the fuel station and back to the runway), that's STILL a lot of gliding time. I can hear the race announcer now ." Ladies and gentleman the race is on and see that imaginary race course in the sky ? See how many of you can tell who's winning the race OOOPPPS time for a pit stop while the action switches to the pits for refueling. While they're purging the tanks and doing a pre cool now's the time to go for a dinner and visit of our sales mall.There you can enjoy a sit down meal and dancing while the kids buy overpriced rocket models and play �in the game room. After dinner and dancing return to your seats for the exciting conclusion of the ROCKET �RACING's First heat.Thrills ,chills and excitement await us as the Racers try to start their engines and OOOPPS we had a flame out ...Time to visit out inhouse theater and watch an exciting movie staring the hero of stage screen and Tv as he stars in the exciting movie the "Amazing Adventures of Capt Zoom hero of the Universe". While the refueling continues the Burbank RC Flyers will do a demonstration of pylon racing with REAL model pylon racers.Now that's racing �folks...While we're waiting for the Pylon Racers to show up .Take a visit to our ..... I can hardly wait.... Chuck S RAH-14/1 ret That is just about my opinion of this pipe dream from the day I first heard about it. It is running on what? 2 years? 3 years? now and no progress that I have heard about, no planes flying that have been reported in the news... Bottom line? Don't hold your breath folks. Harry K Could we ask ZOOM to hold his breath while we wait? BFG |
#19
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ZZZ Rocket Racer LeagueZZZ
Frank Stutzman wrote:
Ron Wanttaja wrote: Well, let's see: OK, Ron, I'll agree with all your points except for the very first one: 1. Each race ends with an emergency (e.g., an aircraft without of fuel). By this definition there are a powerful lot of soaring events/races that are nothing but emergencies. But these aren't gliders. Of course neither is the space shuttle. BUT. |
#20
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ZZZ Rocket Racer LeagueZZZ
BobR wrote:
Harry K wrote: Bottom line? Don't hold your breath folks. Harry K Could we ask ZOOM to hold his breath while we wait? BFG The problem is they seem to have bought a perfectly good kit company. http://kitplanesmag.blogspot.com/200...-schedule.html Rocket Racing League Announces Schedule, Velocity Aircraft Sold Positioning itself as a "new entertainment sports league that combines the exhilaration of racing with the power of rocket engines," the Rocket Racing League announced that it will stage its first exhibition race at Oshkosh this year. The vehicles will be liquid-oxygen-fueled rockets in modified Velocity airframes. Three more exhibition races will be held at Reno (September 10-14), at the X-Prize Cup (Las Cruces, NM, date TBA), and at Aviation Nation, Nellis Air Force Base (November 8-9). No doubt to ensure an adequate supply of airframes, RRL's subsidiary, Rocket Racing Composite Corporation, has purchased Velocity Aircraft. It is expected that Velocity will continue selling and servicing the Velocity as an Experimental/Amateur-Built aircraft. According to RRL, "Under the terms of the agreement, Velocity Aircraft will become a wholly owned division of Rocket Racing Composite Corp. and will produce an airframe that will be consistent for all competing Rocket Racers. Through a rigorous research and development, all Velocity-constructed Rocket Racers will be equipped with the safest-possible airframe for any kind of aircraft. The cockpit seats for all Rocket Racers will be reinforced to withstand impacts up to 20G load and other safety measures will be added using a methodology similar to that of F-1 and Indy Car to better protect pilots and passengers alike." According to the press release, "Scott Baker, president of Velocity, Inc. offered his enthusiastic remarks that, 'Velocity is truly excited to be a part of Rocket Racing. Many of the technology advances that are planned for the Rocket Racer models transcend and offer performance and comfort benefits to Velocity owners who use their aircraft for personal and business travel.' " No word on the availability of the rocket engine for homebuilders. |
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