"The-Jet" by Cirrus: A Fractional Jet At A Fractional Airplane Price

Cirrus' The-Jet has a projected certification date of 2010, and with 468 $100,000 deposits, it could be a while before you get yours. So what are you going to fly in the meantime? Why don't you consider flying a nice new Cirrus SR22 G3 loaded to the gills with wonderful Avidyne Entegra avionics? The purchase of a Sky Shares SR22 airplane fractional puts you in front of the line on their position in the new "The-Jet" by Cirrus. So start flying today, and really fly tomorrow!

Looking for Fractional Aircraft Ownership? Consider This...

If you're in the market for fractional airplane purchase, there's one Denver company who may be able to help you out. Sky Shares is a full-service fractional airplane company that makes it easy to compare the benefits of buying a Sky Shares fractional over outright ownership. Check out this table for a cost comparison. I think you'll agree--it's much less expensive not to go it alone when it comes to aircraft ownership.

Video: Cirrus Design SR22-Turbo GTS X Review: Sky Shares Fractional

What do you do when you want a 600,000 dollar airplane, but can't afford to own one all by yourself? You buy a fraction of one, that's what you do! In today's economy, shared ownership is the way to go. Click the video to see what you could be flying for a lot less than you might think via fractional ownership. After you see the video, go over to SkyShares to see how little it could cost you! By the way, that's the airplane you'd be flying! Copyright 2008 Reggie Paulk

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Photos: Sky Shares' Fractional SR22 G3 GTS X: Denver Airplane Fractionals

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to fly with Justin Steinke of SkyShares out of Centennial Airport. (APA) We flew in his company's fractionally-owned turbocharged Cirrus SR22 Generation Three GTS X airplane, and it was spectacular. Here are some photos to whet your appetite... There's a video coming today. Oh yeah, there are still shares available. Check out www.myskyshares.com, and read the Business Spotlight piece I wrote about them for Centennial Journal here.

Video Update: French Skydiver Michel Fournier's Record Attempt Foiled

As is often the case with publicity stunts, Michel Fournier's attempt to break the world skydiving altitude and speed record was foiled as his inflated helium balloon took off without him this morning.

The details of the attempt may be found here. Web video coverage of the balloon escape and Michael's reaction may be seen here.

Blended Wing Body Concept Looks Like The Real Thing

This synthetic photo of a couple of Blended Wing Body airliners preparing for departure conjures up dreams of the future. Modeled off of the NASA X-48B Skyray, these airplanes could almost be real. You just have to wonder where the concept will go. |via Gizmodo and Flight Global|

Photo: B-25 Mitchell Bombers Being Assembled During WWII

This photo is a very rare color depiction of B-25 assembly during the Second World War. Click the photo to see a larger version. |via wikimedia|

Photos and Video: French Skydiver Michael Fournier To Attempt Record Freefall From 130,000 Feet

Parachutist Michael Fournier(Click for Photo) plans to ride a balloon to 130,000 feet, open the door to his pressurized capsule and leap into the record books by being the first man ever to break the sound barrier with his body alone. The current record, held by Joseph Kittinger (Left), is 102,800 feet and 614 miles per hour. | via NY Times and Le Grandsaut |










Here's an interview with Michael Fournier: (IN FRENCH)

Video: Red Bull Air Race Monument Valley, Utah

I had the good fortune to go to the Red Bull Air Race in Monument Valley, Utah with my Dad and Son last year, and it was amazing. Even if you're not an aviation enthusiast, it's easy to get caught up in the energy of the event.



Check out some of the still photos I took here.

Video: UH-60 Helicopter WeedWacker

It looks like this pilot, in an attempt to show off for the assembled crowd, came in too fast and pulled too much pitch. The resulting decrease in rotor RPM caused a high speed descent toward the tree line. You can tell after he "lands" that the helicopter's rotor and engine are screaming; obviously an attempt to pull power before touchdown. Moral: Don't show off in an aircraft. (Note the announcer saying everything is normal!)

Video: In Flight Helicopter Rotor Blade Flex Is Interesting

These two videos show what a rotor blade looks like during flight. I'm pretty sure the first video is a UH-1 "Huey." The second video shows a dramatic reduction in blade flex due to new engineering designs.





Click Here To See Modern Blades

Video: Mooney Acclaim-Type S Speed Demon: 242 Knots

This is the new Mooney Acclaim - Type S speedster. The airplane boasts a top speed of 242 knots, and a Garmin G1000 instrument panel. It is capable of cruising at 25,000 feet and going beyond 1800 nautical miles with extended range tanks. This airplane is a business flying dream. Photos Copyright 2008 Reggie Paulk All Rights Reserved

Read the story I wrote for Airport Journals here.





Here's a cool video of the new Mooney Acclaim Type S

Video: Powered Hang Gliders Are Known As Trikes...

Luckily, before I sold my Rotax 582-powered Top Dog trike, my wife took some video so I could have wonderful memories. Trikes are high performance flying machines by any standard, and some of the most fun I've ever had in any aircraft... And I've flown in a lot of different aircraft. If you're interested in learning to fly trikes, check out Moore Airtime. Steve Moore is one of only a handful of people in the country who can get you Sport Pilot certified in them.

Gadget Review Video: Zoom H2 Handy Recorder Handheld Digital Studio

As a writer, I need to record all kinds of audio. From interviews to galas and seminars, I have a need to record reliably in all kinds of situations. The cheap hand-held recorders found at office supply stores just can't do the job. I was always rewinding and playing back the recordings so I could try to figure out what was being said. Of course, as a writer, I don't make enough money to afford an expensive recorder. The H2 changed everything. It picks up sound in such clarity, it feels as if the person is sitting next to you. It's price--below 200 dollars-- puts it in a league of its own. Check out my little video for a demonstration.

Video: Police Dash Camera View Of A WWII T-6G Texan Making Emergency Landing On Freeway

The pilot of this T-6 landed safely near Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin after experiencing engine trouble. Check out the video below:

Video: Pilot Lands Airplane On Top Of Another Airplane In Texas

This is what happens when a Piper lands on a Stinson... Luckily, no one was hurt in the incident.


Here's a video of the aftermath:

Photo: Red Bull Helicopters In Monument Valley

Here are some photos I took of the Red Bull camera ship while in Monument Valley, Utah... Beautiful Scenery! The helicopter Red Bull uses is a Eurocopter BO-105--the same model helicopter that does the amazing aerobatic routine.

See the video here.



Below: This is a Bell 206 JetRanger hovering over the mitten during the air race. If you click on the photo, you can see the photographer hanging out of the side door of the helicopter.



Below: This is the Eurocopter BO-105 video ship again. Look at the distortion caused by the hot exhaust.

Video: Listen To The Wright R-2600 Double Cyclone Engine On Pacific Prowler In Surround Sound

Wright Cyclone on Pacific Prowler.m4a

This is a 10MB download, but you will feel like you're standing right next to the engine as the inertial-reel starter spools up, the engine catches and revs and finally shuts down. This engine is extremely noisy, so there is some distortion in the recording, but it's pretty realistic. Approximately 4 minutes in length. Copyright 2008 Reggie Paulk


Here it is in high definition:




Here's a short video with some of the recorded audio:

Video: See The WWII B-25 Mitchell Bomber Pacific Prowler In Action

This airplane is an amazing piece of flying history. Her 28 cylinders create a beautiful cacophony of sound as she flies by. Make sure to turn up the volume for an earful of her 3400 horsepower!
Check it out in High Definition Here:

Photo: Doolittle Raider Col. Bill Bower Sits in the B-25 Pacific Prowler

Today was a historic moment as Col. Bill Bower climbed into the left seat of the Pacific Prowler. He was very pleased to be sitting in the pilot's seat once again. So pleased in fact, he wanted to take her up for a spin. According to Bower, it was the first time he'd been in a B-25 in over 60 years! As commander of the #12 ship off the USS Hornet during the Doolittle Raid, Bower bailed out of the aircraft over China after bombing targets near Tokyo. Here's the story I wrote for Airport Journals.

Canon HV30 High Definition Video Camera... Beautiful Video In a Tiny Package

The Canon HV30 will dazzle you with its accurate and amazing color rendition, instant focus and image stabilization. Check out the video below to see just how true this is.

Video: Messin' With Sasquatch: Laughing This Hard Is Good For Your Health

I know this has NOTHING to do with aviation, but if it hits your funny bone the same way it smacked mine, you'll be crying when you're done!! Jack Link's Jerky is on to something here.
Enjoy!

Some People Fly Airplanes... Kirby Chambliss IS His Airplane!!

The Edge 540 is a capable machine, but its talents were hidden until Kirby Chambliss came along and bared them to the world. WOW!!

Video: The EAA's B-17 Aluminum Overcast Is Beautiful

I got a chance to fly on Aluminum Overcast last year... Check out the story and photos here.

This Ultralight Is Intentionally Blown Up By Its Pilot

Although it looks like a shameful waste of a perfectly good aircraft, Troy Hartmen jumps out of an ultralight rigged with explosives and demonstrates the importance of proper weight and balance on an aircraft. When he jumps, the aircraft pitches up violently because of the sudden loss of his weight. This is why many ultralights sit with their nosewheel off the ground when no one is sitting in them.

Can Airplanes Land Safely After Losing a Wing? Hmm...

Here's a viral video that has been circulating which is clearly a marketing ploy for the company listed on the wing and fuselage of the airplane: Killa Thrill. They've accomplished what any viral marketing campaign sets out to do, and that is generate eyeballs and buzz. Watch the video at the bottom of this post to get an idea of where they came up with this one. And below is their video for your perusal:



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Wings are for rookies. Who needs 'em anyway? You got it? You sure do! Skills.

Where's the Spitfire? Beware The 'F' Word.

This guy's about to see what it's like to be surprised by an airplane he knows is coming. Turn your volume down if you don't want to hear some rather brash cussing.

Low Frequency High Amplitude Wing Flutter Aeroelasticity on a Glider's Wing

This video shows some (relatively benign) flutter on a glider's wing. Of course, this isn't the way most aircraft react when they get into a flutter mode. (See Previous Post)

Destructive Wing Flutter Aeroelasticity Test

I don't think NASA intended to destroy its model in this test, but they didn't get much of a warning before the thing shredded itself to pieces.The wing seems relatively stable at Mach .794, but it only took a little over two percent gain in speed to bring about a failure... Keep that in mind when flying near your airplane's top speed. For a video, of non-destructive flutter click here.

Airfoil Helicam Makes Great Aerial Videos Using an RC Helicopter

This little RC helicam gains a perspective full-size helicopters would be too big and ungainly to get. Visit the website here.



Check out the video of the carrier platform by clicking either of the photos or by going here

LED NightFlyer By Castle Creations Brings a Whole New Dimention to Night Time RC Flying!

The kit starts with a Multiplex Acromaster electric RC aeroplane kit. Add LED's, a dose of night time, and you have a beautiful setup. Watch the video for a relaxing show. Learn more about the NightFlyer HERE.

NASA Tests the X-48B Skyray Blended Flying Body Concept Model

X-48B Skyray First Flight Video

Pacific Prowler Coming to Denver

Pacific Prowler will be back in Denver at the Boulder Municipal Airport on May 15. She will be available for rides at $375 a pop. I will be posting a video and a write up of the airplane here, so stay tuned. I got to fly on the airplane last year and look forward to doing it again! Check out the photos and write up I did last year.

Video and Photos: Mooney Acclaim Type S Speed Demon: 242 Knots

This is the new Mooney Acclaim Type S speedster. The airplane boasts a top speed of 242 knots, and a Garmin G1000 instrument panel. All Photos Copyright 2008 Reggie Paulk All Rights Reserved


I made this video after a recent Mooney Technical Worshop.





Here's a cool video of the new Mooney Acclaim Type S

Video: First Person View FPV RC Video Goggles... Fly Your RC Plane as Though You're Sitting Right There!

First Person View Goggles enable a user to fly or drive an RC vehicle much like an unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV. What's really cool is that the signal is wireless and in real-time for the virtual experience. The panning and tilting of the camera in the video is due to an accelerometer located on the goggles that senses head movement and moves the camera correspondingly.
Incredibly Cool!!!
Shop Here

YouTube Most Popular Videos

These are some of the most popular videos on YouTube:


Evolution of Dance by Judson Laipply
Judson Laipply shows his comical genious as he goes through the contortions of dance generated throughout the second half of the 20th century. This video has received over 80 million hits!


A Bugatti Veyron racing a motorcycle. (And beating it handily)
The Bugatti Veyron is the world's fastest production car. It can go 0-100 in under six seconds. It's top speed exceeds 250 miles per hour, and it has over 1000 horsepower. Pure POWER!

Blendtec Blenders are Pretty Powerful... Look Out iPhone


Blendtec CEO Tom Dickson puts popular devices into his company's blenders to answer the question: "Will it blend?" Well, the iPhone was a huge hit. I think the most amazing thing here is just how powderized the thing becomes. He blends Nintendo Wiimotes, cellphones, golfballs... You name it, he'll blend it!

Video: Mooney Technical Workshop Showcases the new 242 Knot Acclaim Type S Speed Demon

Mooney Airplane Company showcased their new Acclaim Type S speedster at their technical workshop at Centennial Airport on 3 May 2008. The airplane boasts a top speed of 242 knots, and a range over 1800 nautical miles. With a Garmin G1000 panel and TKS de-ice, the Type S is a true contender...Against turboprops! The Acclaim Type S is Mooney's fastest speed racer to date.

Video: Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum in Two Minutes

I recently visited the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum during the unveiling of their new Jetwing exhibit. I put together this quick video to show the museum's diverse aircraft selection.



By Reggie Paulk Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved