Lunar Lander

Pushing seven hundred blogposts since commencing this venture I was rather looking forward ~ as the CEO of BP once ill-advisedly said ~ to getting my life back. Sadly, now that this thing is flying that isn't going to happen any time soon.

Despite a near-three-month delay due weather and new premises, turns out the fixes required following prior failure did the job viz. reduced weight and increased rigidity.

Like the arrangement too: practical and compact when it comes to transporting and deploying in the (waterlogged) field.

Two years tho' since the previous prototype flew at this same site, so we've to stick to this design else we'll run out of life prior commercial entry.

Task now in order is to crop the footage and post online prior to a half-day's filming for aerial footage that we can include on the website so that it looks less pedestrian.

Thereafter in '24 the object will be to scale from half- to full- prior upping the weight of the payload gradually toward my own... so no pies for me at Christmas.

For the fliterati out there, just 6kW of installed power turning 22" props is raising a gross weight which frankly I've forgotten, tho' was somewhat under the 20kg target. 

Control config is X-8 and chances are this is the first time a drone overhead and another at ground level has flown an upright passenger. 

The Oscairs

And the award for the most spectacular unmanned air vehicle goes to... Aibot.

'On behalf of Californians everywhere, and not least California, I am delighted to accept this award. We have proven that in the field of UAM, the potential that AI brings to curtains is only just beginning to be realised. Our investors recognise that this is a pair fit for the Oscars, of which we can all be truly proud. If nothing else it shows the world what using AI as your TLD can achieve.'

La Merde De Taureau

The automobile is doubtless a most useful vehicle, but one is not likely to lavish upon it the fond attention he bestows upon his horse or dog. A man may admire his own carriage, but his affections are reserved for the horse that draws it and the dog that follows it.

New York Times 1908

Rail travel at high speed is not possible as passengers, unable to breathe, would die of asphyxia.

Dionysius Lardner 1830

It is apparent to me the possibilities of the airplane, that two or three years ago were thought to hold a solution...  have been exhausted, and that we must turn elsewhere.

Thomas Edison 1895

A totally useless, hyper-polluting gimmick for a few ultra-privileged people in a hurry.

Deputy Mayor of Paris 2023

That final quote relates to plans to introduce electrical air taxis at the Olympic Games in Paris next year. Politicians rarely grasp science, our own Prime Minister overseeing the Covid pandemic on the basis of having given it up at fifteen.

What is significant about the Deputy Mayoral comment ~ in view of his responsibility for ecological matters ~ is that automobiles and airplanes were considered playthings for the rich too. Had they not been invented though, Dan Lest would neither be ferried in a limousine nor benefit from flights on business or holidays.

It is therefore a quote that could only emerge from a Europe far up it's own backside.