Mon, Jul 19, 2010
Aero-Linx!
Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough,
if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows
us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not
that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often
hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts
confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this
is done on the Internet.
The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat
sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to
ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the
sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new
spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into
cyber-aero-space for awhile.
Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via
Aero-Linx.
Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always
welcome, as well.
Aero-Linx: The Cluster Balloon
Flight Page
Have you ever dreamed of being carried into the sky by a giant
bouquet of colorful toy balloons? That's the idea behind cluster
ballooning. The pilot wears a harness, to which a cluster of large,
helium-filled balloons are attached. Control is achieved by
releasing ballast to ascend, or by bursting balloons to
descend.
The most famous cluster balloon flight took place in 1982. Larry
Walters, with no prior ballooning experience, attached 42 helium
weather balloons to a lawnchair, intending to go up a few hundred
feet, but instead soaring to 16,000. Surprisingly, Walters survived
his flight. However, both before and since Walters' adventure,
experienced balloonists have experimented with helium balloon
clusters, some rising to even greater heights.
More News
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
Also: 1800th E-Jet, Uncle Sam Sues For Landing Gear, Embraer Ag Plane, Textron Parts A friend of the family reported that Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard Glenn Rutan flew west on Friday, M>[...]
Also: Virgin Galactic, B-29 Doc to Allentown, Erickson Fire-Fighters Bought, FAA Reauthorization After dealing with a big letdown after the unexpected decision by Skyreach to disco>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]