from the South Bay
FlyByMax presents two terrific videos on how real and perceived forces play into flight simulator and inertial guidance systems. Simulators don’t just mimic the motions of their vehicles. Designers have to use the human vestibular and visual systems to mix the physical movements and scene projections to maximize realism.
Youtube Channel: FlyByMax
Jake O’Neal’s meticulously researched and lovingly rendered engineering animations are one of the highlights of modern-day Youtube. He’s outdone himself with his recent masterpiece on the SR-71’s innards and outards. The Blackbird is one of the last century’s artistic triumphs and has inspired admirers all over the world. O’Neal dove deeply into the literature and pulls back the covers from beak to tailfeathers. The section on the inlet and J58 powerplant is as accurate as the 2015 benchmark from “Tech Adams.”
O’Neal goes beyond the “glamorous bits.” Pay close attention to the “mixer” that translated pilot stick inputs into precise actuator motions to control a plane flying at Mach 3+. I’ve been following the Blackbird family for decades and I never knew about this.
On top of that, he has just released a behind-the-scenes film on how he created the model and animations using the free Blender program.
Youtube Channel: Animagraffs
SpeedbirdHD has dramatically cut back on his insider views of LAX. Stig Aviation is a new channel that fills that gap. SpeedbirdHD focused on insane closeups of takeoffs and landings thanks to his unparalleled access. Stig is a maintenance technician for a major airline who documents interesting aspects of the job through sixteen hour shifts which he nevertheless enjoys. Tires, engines, cockpits, or fluids, he’s got the scoop. He optimizes for mobile phones so the videos are all in portrait mode but other than that, there’s a lot of good stuff for the aviation curious.
Youtube Channel: Stig Aviation
The L-1011 has mostly disappeared from the airways but is enjoying a burst of nostalgic appreciation. Here are some history lessons and some technology lessons, at multiple levels of detail.
Youtube Channel: Mustard
Youtube Channel: The British Library
Youtube Channel: AgentJayZ
Leave it to the Swiss to breathe new life into the airshow. First, they don’t call it that. It’s an Air Force practice open to that portion of the public willing to climb to ~7500 feet to watch planes and helicopters fly through a mountain range, firing live ammunition at targets placed on the rock walls. They’ve taken an event popular all over the world and Schweizenated it in their own particular … idiom.
Here is the Patrouille Suisse flight demonstration team in action from the recently concluded AXALP 2017. It’s a 360-degree video. Click and drag on the screen to see all angles. I don’t know how they did it but it is impressive.
Youtube Channel: Blick
Stan Jones gets a ride with the Blue Angels and we get to tag along, thanks to his cameras. Things start moving around 5 minutes into this nearly hourlong video.
Via the Stan Jones Youtube Channel
Months in the making. Enjoy this 40 minute collection of LAX comings and goings from the man with access like no other.
Visit SpeedbirdHD for even more.
Picasso – Guernica
via Wikimedia Commons – Low resolution image believed to fall within Fair Use. Click image for details.
Photo: D. Ramey Logan – Wikimedia Commons
As a teenager, I was privileged to see him fly his Shrike Aero Commander at a Northern California airshow. As an adult, I got to see him at an event in his honor at Torrance Airport. Robert Hoover, the pilot’s pilot and long-time South Bay resident, passed away today in Torrance at age 94. Rest in Peace, Sir.
Planespotter and filmmaker Ryan Bomar, that’s who. Watch his recent video on Youtube and check the description for how to apply to get on one.