The BV 141: one mean, lean, lopsided machine. Let’s just face the facts: this thing is flat-out strange. Likely one of the only asymmetric aircraft in all of human history, what’s truly strange about the BV 141 is that it actually flew – and it flew pretty well! The BV 141 was actually intended to [...]
Airship or airplane? This one is a bit of both. Lockheed Martin took inspiration from both forms of aircraft when they designed their P-791. This aircraft is supported by both aerostatic and aerodynamic lift. Aerostatic lift is lift that is generated from the buoyancy of air surrounding the craft, like in a balloon or blimp. Aerodynamic [...]
Mriya means "dream" in Ukranian. And in the case of this plane, someone really dreamed big. It's a gross understatement to simply say that the An-225 is big because the truth is, this plane is giant, and is actually known as the longest and heaviest plane ever built (no joke, it really is that huge!). Further, the [...]
If my five-year-old self could’ve designed an airplane, it may have looked a lot like Alexander Lippisch’s Aerodyne. Lippisch – for the uninitiated – was a German engineer who was fundamental to the modern aircraft designs we see in use today. Lippisch was a phenomenal inventor and an incredible engineer. His most popular craft is [...]
Let it be said: every pilot knows all too well the name of Howard Hughes. In a time when the long-running, American trend of neglecting the notion of a singular job title was beginning to catch momentum, Howard Hughes was world-famous aviator, aerospace engineer, entrepreneur, filmmaker, and philanthropist. As a man who represented extreme wealth [...]
. Extra EA-300L in flight Top speed: 213 mph Length: 22’9 1/2" Wingspan: 24’3" Height: 8' 7 1/4 " Empty Weight: Appox. 1,500 lbs Loadded Weight: 2095 lbs Capacity: 2 People First flight: May 1988 Introduction: 1987 Production: 1988-Current Powerplant: Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5 Extra EA-300 The Extra EA-300 is an aerobatic monoplane made of an aluminum and fabric covered steel [...]
Boeing B-17E. (U.S. Air Force photo) Top speed: 287 mph Length: 74’ Wingspan: 104’0’ First flight: 28 July 1935 Introduction: April 1938 Production: 1936-1945 Retired: 1968 (Brazilian Air Force) "Flying Fortress" The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, a four-engine heavy bomber, was built in response to a competition put forth by the U.S. Army [...]
