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Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: BobR on July 21, 2010, 05:22:10 AM

Title: Flying 101
Post by: BobR on July 21, 2010, 05:22:10 AM
Nope, not how to fly, but a plane labeled to help out the aeronautically challenged, or so it seems. I will have to say, it is unlike anything I have seen in paint jobs before.

http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/30/kulula-air-tries-not-to-take-itself-too-seriously/

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.gadling.com%2Fmedia%2F2010%2F01%2Fkululu-flying-101-2.jpg&hash=66c678851fcc9b4c4a3c512dfc1095515f8308a2)

More pictures at the site.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Fly320s on July 21, 2010, 06:13:45 AM
So that's where the rudder is. Good to know.  =D
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: taurusowner on July 21, 2010, 06:59:55 AM
That's kinda neat.  I bet a 6-8 year old boy would find that kind of thing to be interesting.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Perd Hapley on July 21, 2010, 07:12:04 AM
I have always wondered where the kulula fans are located on an airplane.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Tallpine on July 21, 2010, 08:47:13 AM
So that's where the rudder is. Good to know.  =D

You don't need to know anything about the back of the plane.

Just keep steering the front end - the back end will have to follow you.  :lol:
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: KD5NRH on July 21, 2010, 11:36:56 AM
That's actually pretty cool; I've had to draw people a picture several times to show where something is, and this would save everybody from my questionable drawing ability.

I wonder how much it would cost to do Cessna 150s and 172s.  It could be great for the local airport's rentals, since they're used mostly for training anyway.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Boomhauer on July 21, 2010, 11:44:20 AM
Quote
I wonder how much it would cost to do Cessna 150s and 172s.  It could be great for the local airport's rentals, since they're used mostly for training anyway.

A decent, standard paint job will usually cost around $6K or so, I think. Not sure how much setting up all the stencils or having custom decals cut would add to that.

Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Fly320s on July 21, 2010, 11:48:13 AM
I wonder how much it would cost to do Cessna 150s and 172s. 

A decent, standard paint job will usually cost around $6K or so, I think. Not sure how much setting up all the stencils or having custom decals cut would add to that.

Probably the same price for stencils.  The expensive part is the weight and balance paperwork that needs to be done.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 280plus on July 21, 2010, 11:54:09 AM
So where's the cupholder? And the ashtray...  ???
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: makattak on July 21, 2010, 12:21:03 PM
So where's the cupholder? And the ashtray...  ???

OBVIOUSLY they are so labeled inside the plane. GOSH. ;)
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 280plus on July 21, 2010, 12:52:39 PM
My bad...  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Leatherneck on July 21, 2010, 06:30:34 PM
Missing labels:

TC
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: KD5NRH on July 21, 2010, 06:32:19 PM
Probably the same price for stencils.  The expensive part is the weight and balance paperwork that needs to be done.

Even as decals, I can't see the labeling for a 172 being more than a couple pounds of vinyl, and pretty well distributed over the aircraft.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Hawkmoon on July 21, 2010, 06:33:16 PM
You don't need to know anything about the back of the plane.

Just keep steering the front end - the back end will have to follow you.  :lol:

That only works if the back end is still attached to the front end, because although the steering wheel is in the front, the steering thingie is on the back. In fact, technically (at least for aircraft similar to that shown), you can't really steer the front end. You steer the back end and it sort of shoves things around and tells the front end which way to go.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Devonai on July 21, 2010, 09:32:10 PM
What is a "tail?"  Is that where they keep the horizontal and vertical stabilizers?
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Tallpine on July 21, 2010, 10:15:25 PM
That only works if the back end is still attached to the front end, because although the steering wheel is in the front, the steering thingie is on the back. In fact, technically (at least for aircraft similar to that shown), you can't really steer the front end. You steer the back and and it sort of shoves things around and tells the front end which way to go.

You expect pilots to understand all that technical jargon  ???
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: RevDisk on July 21, 2010, 10:24:20 PM
I wonder how much it would cost to do Cessna 150s and 172s.  It could be great for the local airport's rentals, since they're used mostly for training anyway.

Aviation paint is roughly $150 per gallon.   =D
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 41magsnub on July 21, 2010, 10:29:21 PM
Aviation paint is roughly $150 per gallon.   =D

Because it flies?    ???



 =D
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: RocketMan on July 21, 2010, 10:42:16 PM
So that's where the rudder is. Good to know.  =D

I told you if you stuck with it long enough, you'd eventually figure it out.  Good job, Fly320s.   :laugh:
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 230RN on July 22, 2010, 12:16:13 AM
In days of old, when you could wander around an airport parking area without the SWAT team called on you, my son and I found a little canard experimental  parked behind one of the hangars at Boulder Municipal.  We looked in the cockpit and there was a brass plate stuck on the instrument panel.  It said,

Quote
DON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID!

I've always wondered if perhaps that was John Denver's plane.

Terry, 230RN

Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: KD5NRH on July 22, 2010, 06:08:19 AM
Aviation paint is roughly $150 per gallon.   =D

Gotta paint 'em anyway.  (extra whiteness is your friend when you don't have an air conditioner in Texas)  At least when granddad worked there, they repainted every few years.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 280plus on July 22, 2010, 06:43:21 AM
Because it flies?    ???
Yes, it's lighter than air so when you paint a plane with it the plane becomes much lighter. Saves on fuel cause it takes less energy to get off the ground, up to altitude and stay there.

Problem is you can't forget what you're doing and let go of the can because it will float away. Happens more than you think.  ;)
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: seeker_two on July 22, 2010, 08:11:23 AM
Yes, it's lighter than air so when you paint a plane with it the plane becomes much lighter. Saves on fuel cause it takes less energy to get off the ground, up to altitude and stay there.

Problem is you can't forget what you're doing and let go of the can because it will float away. Happens more than you think.  ;)

So....could I get better gas mileage from my truck if I used aviation paint?....or even frequent flier miles?....  =D
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Fly320s on July 22, 2010, 08:26:32 AM
Even as decals, I can't see the labeling for a 172 being more than a couple pounds of vinyl, and pretty well distributed over the aircraft.

There isn't much added weight, true.  The high costs are because everything that goes on to or into an airplane has to be tested and approved by the FAA.  That, plus liability insurance, increases the price of "aviation parts" by a factor of 5.

The other cost comes from having to do the weight and balance on the flight control surfaces if the vinyl is added to those areas.  That is a little more involved than a whole-airplane W&B.

Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 280plus on July 22, 2010, 09:15:47 AM
So....could I get better gas mileage from my truck if I used aviation paint?....or even frequent flier miles?....  =D
Yup, both, so I hear.  =)
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: MillCreek on July 22, 2010, 10:24:49 AM
On the topic of aviation gas, I have read suggestions to use this for boats, motorcycles and small engines because it does not have ethanol in it to ruin the rubber and plastic in the fuel systems.  Any thoughts on this? 

On my motorcycle boards, there are many comments about the evils of ethanol, especially in the older bikes.  As a matter of fact, my maxi-scooter manufacturer, Aprilia, had to do a recall of several years worth of scooters and motorcycles to replace some elements of the fuel system.  When the bikes were designed in Italy, they were not engineered for ethanol in the gasoline, which is a wonderful solvent for some of the plastics and rubber used.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Tallpine on July 22, 2010, 11:14:41 AM
Aviation paint is roughly $150 per gallon.   =D

If I were to own a Cessna, I would go the Don Sheldon route and fly it with bare aluminum :)
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 41magsnub on July 22, 2010, 11:23:56 AM
Yes, it's lighter than air so when you paint a plane with it the plane becomes much lighter. Saves on fuel cause it takes less energy to get off the ground, up to altitude and stay there.

Problem is you can't forget what you're doing and let go of the can because it will float away. Happens more than you think.  ;)

So it is like Flubber then?   :lol:
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: RocketMan on July 22, 2010, 05:32:34 PM
So it is like Flubber then?   :lol:

Not so much.  Painted airplanes don't bounce very well.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 280plus on July 22, 2010, 07:30:22 PM
Av gas (to the best of my ancient knowledge of the stuff) still contains lead which you will inhale when it comes out the exhaust pipe.

That said, I used to have this AMC Iggle with the 258 CI straight 6 and I would put 5 gal of av gas in the tank and fill it the rest of the way with premium when I was going on a long trip. The Iggle would fly...  :O

 :lol:
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: RoadKingLarry on July 22, 2010, 09:52:39 PM
Because it flies?    ???



 =D

Kind of like boat paint only more elite.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Boomhauer on July 22, 2010, 10:04:24 PM
There isn't much added weight, true.  The high costs are because everything that goes on to or into an airplane has to be tested and approved by the FAA.  That, plus liability insurance, increases the price of "aviation parts" by a factor of 5.

The other cost comes from having to do the weight and balance on the flight control surfaces if the vinyl is added to those areas.  That is a little more involved than a whole-airplane W&B.



Check out an aviation supply catalog and compare prices for non certified components (for experimental use only) to identical certified components. Guess which one is much higher?

Quote
Av gas (to the best of my ancient knowledge of the stuff) still contains lead which you will inhale when it comes out the exhaust pipe.

Yes, it still contains lead.

Quote
On the topic of aviation gas, I have read suggestions to use this for boats, motorcycles and small engines because it does not have ethanol in it to ruin the rubber and plastic in the fuel systems.  Any thoughts on this?

On my motorcycle boards, there are many comments about the evils of ethanol, especially in the older bikes.  As a matter of fact, my maxi-scooter manufacturer, Aprilia, had to do a recall of several years worth of scooters and motorcycles to replace some elements of the fuel system.  When the bikes were designed in Italy, they were not engineered for ethanol in the gasoline, which is a wonderful solvent for some of the plastics and rubber used.

Yes, avgas contains no ethanol. I'm also told that the lead will kill emissions control equipment, so keep that in mind.

10% ethanol fuel was a really STUPID move. Fortunately, one of the oil companies in my town sells fuel w/o ethanol, so try your local oil distributors. 

Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 230RN on July 22, 2010, 11:22:35 PM
Questions about aircraft paint, etc.

Quote
Yes, it's lighter than air so when you paint a plane with it the plane becomes much lighter. Saves on fuel cause it takes less energy to get off the ground, up to altitude and stay there.

Is that that with which they paint the Goodyear blimp? 

(https://armedpolitesociety.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.niot.net%2Fblog-images%2F08_Aug%2Fthe-goodyear-blimp.jpg&hash=8a8ea14ea8906cad21abcd0bb3e18a8e493d9873)

I always wondered what kept that thing up and why it had such a big surface area. 

(This not-ending-a-sentence-with-a-preposition stuff is BS.)

And I noticed they didn't paint the top of it.  Izzat because the paint would fly off from trying to hold it up, so they only paint it on the bottom?  Why doesn't that make it capsize?

I'm confused about all this aircrafty stuff.

And I guess the "loo" painted on the outside of the Kulula plane in the OP is there so you don't stand under it?

(Or under which you should not stand?)


Terry, 230RN

(Pic credit in properties)

Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 280plus on July 23, 2010, 07:46:51 AM
Yes, lead will definitely kill your catalytic converter. Also fouls the plugs real good.



Quote
And I noticed they didn't paint the top of it.  Izzat because the paint would fly off from trying to hold it up, so they only paint it on the bottom?
Exactly, the direct upward pull causes issues with the paint bubbling and flaking off.
Quote
Why doesn't that make it capsize?
Bullshit, err, I mean ballast in the bottom. ;)
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Fly320s on July 23, 2010, 08:20:38 AM
Yes, lead will definitely kill your catalytic converter.
And kill animals that can be turned into a tasty meal.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Tuco on July 23, 2010, 08:25:33 AM
Freshman year at university, I labeled my dorm room in a similar fashion with colored chalk.
The roommates were not nearly amused as you all.
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 230RN on July 23, 2010, 08:29:47 AM
Ahh, thanks, 280plus!  So that gonadala thing hanging off the bottom is the ballast?  And now I noticed they didn't paint that, either.

Of course, so the big heavy unpainted gonadala keeps it from capsizing.  I should have known.

Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 280plus on July 23, 2010, 01:38:49 PM
yup, that thing is just a big ol' hunk of lead.  If tyhey run out of avgas they just stop at any old filling station and then scrape some lead off of the gondola and put it in the tank. Then they go out and kill tasty animals from like 10,000 ft.  ;)
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: seeker_two on July 23, 2010, 04:13:42 PM
yup, that thing is just a big ol' hunk of lead.  If tyhey run out of avgas they just stop at any old filling station and then scrape some lead off of the gondola and put it in the tank. Then they go out and kill tasty animals from like 10,000 ft.  ;)

....and don't forget the illegal aliens and hurricanes....  :cool:
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 280plus on July 23, 2010, 06:18:17 PM
Hurricane flying in a blimp. There's an E ticket ride for you.  :lol:
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: Scout26 on July 24, 2010, 03:57:40 AM
Aviation paint is roughly $150 per gallon.   =D

I take that's for Dark Green ?  How much is the super secret Black ??
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 230RN on July 24, 2010, 12:33:55 PM
^ "How much is the super secret Black ?? "

Do you mean that non-radar reflecting stuff they put on stealth aircraft?

OK, here we go with another 230RN bizarre idea...

You know those microwavebale burritos and pot pies which are supposed to get nice and crispy in the microwave oven?  You ever notice that the paper trays and wrappers they come in are covered with this grey material?

I guess they way they work is that grey stuff absorbs the u-waves (micro-waves) and get real hot, so they crisp up the crust.

OK.  That means they absorb u-waves and convert them to heat, right?

I've often wondered if you could buy that material, which looks like it is painted on, and paint your car with it so it would absorb the police radar and hence be invisible to their radar guns... Hah? Hah?  You think?

In moments of unrestricted contemplation (read: "in one of 230RN's whacko moments"), I've thought of collecting a bunch of chicken-pot pie plates and burrito wrappers and taping them to my car.  Then I'd zoom by one of those annoying roadside radar signs which flash at you to slow down if you're going 1.0001 miles per hour over the posted limit to see how it reacts.

Of course, u-wave ovens run at 2450 megaHertz, and the radar speed detectors and guns are much above that, but I figure if that grey stuff absorbs 2450MHz, it might even absorb speed detector radar frequencies...

Of course, you'd have to wear some chicken pot pie plates on your head to avoid radar reflecting off you through the windshield, but...

I told you it was another one of 230RN's bizarre ideas...

TeraHertz Terry, 230RN
Title: Re: Flying 101
Post by: 280plus on July 24, 2010, 01:24:21 PM
Ok, everybody save they're microwave crisper thingies and send them to terry.