Aug 13
Drone surveillance isn’t just for the government any more. The Spy Hawk RC glider, with a camera that streams live footage to the 3.5″ LCD on its controller, lets you be the eye in the sky. More »
Aug 11
Autonomous MIT Plane Turns a Parking Garage Into Its Own Personal Slalom Course [Video]
Posted in: Today's Chili
When it comes to flying around indoors, helicopters and their ilk get all the attention. That’s generally because your typical plane is best suited for flying forward fast, not “painstakingly avoiding obstacles.” This drone from MIT is an exception to that rule. More »
Aug 08
After planting a rover firmly on Mars’ surface and testing a new methane-fueled lander, NASA has squeezed in the first test flight of its X-48C hybrid wing-body aircraft. Thanks to its design, which combines those of flying-wing and conventional planes, the X-48 could offer 20 to 30 percent more fuel-efficiency, greater fuel capacity and a quieter ride in its final form than traditional craft. The finished model has a projected range of 11,000 nautical miles and a 240-foot wingspan. As an 8.5 percent scale of the full-sized airplane, the remotely piloted prototype weighs in at 500 pounds with a 20-foot wingspan. During the test, it successfully took to the skies for nine minutes and peaked at an altitude of 5,500 feet — though it’s capable of soaring for 35 minutes and climbing nearly twice as high. Another version of the craft (likely with a human behind the flight stick) is estimated to be at least four years down the road, and the final model isn’t expected to arrive for another decade.
Filed under: Science
NASA’s X-48C hybrid wing-body plane completes first test flight originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Aug 07
Ejector Seat Bar Stools Are the Most Efficient Way To Get Rid Of Creeps [Furniture]
Posted in: Today's Chili
If you completely avoid the bar scene because you’re tired of spending your nights dealing with creeps, you’ll sincerely wish this bar stool—crafted from an F-4 Phantom ejector seat—were fully functional. Because instead of having to jot down a fake phone number to escape an awkward situation, you could simply send the jerk blasting through the ceiling. More »
Aug 04
Airlines might claim the seats in their planes are designed to maximize passenger comfort, but that always plays second fiddle to capacity. If squeezing you in gives them enough room to add another body, you better believe they won’t mind cramping passengers. So who would want to drop over $2,000 on a living room chair designed by someone responsible for those awful airline seats? More »
Aug 02
Boeing prepares to deliver United’s 787 Dreamliner, we climb aboard for a tour (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner is the hottest bird in aviation, and while the American-made airliner has already taken flight with passengers aboard, it has yet to land with US-flag air carrier livery along the fuselage. Japan’s All Nippon Airways was the first to take delivery, with the premier pair making their way from the assembly line in September of 2011. Last year Japan Airlines made its first scheduled voyage across the Pacific in a Dreamliner of its own, and we were fortunate enough to fly roundtrip on a domestic ANA flight leaving from Tokyo a few months later. But now the 787 is making its way to an American carrier. As the first US airline to operate the plane, United Airlines is about to take delivery of its first of 50 Dreamliners, which will join the carrier’s fleet to service both existing and new routes, such as Denver to Tokyo, which is set to launch in late March of next year.
We traveled to Boeing’s Everett, Washington factory today for a first look at United’s aircraft. While the Dreamliner looks physically identical to ANA’s plane, the on-board experience is decidedly different from what we saw in Japan. Though the Dreamliner has a very similar layout to United’s bigger 777, it feels roomier thanks to larger windows with dimmable shades, expanded overheard bins and higher ceilings. There’s plenty more to see, though, so jump past the break for a video tour of United’s new mid-size flagship, and a closer look in photos.
Gallery: United Dreamliner interior
Filed under: Transportation
Boeing prepares to deliver United’s 787 Dreamliner, we climb aboard for a tour (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Jul 31
United 787 Dreamliner emerges from Boeing factory, complete with golden head-to-tail ‘swoop’
Posted in: Today's Chili 
The first US-based 787 carrier is inching closer to its Dreamliner service launch. United Airlines celebrated the plane’s rollout today at Boeing’s Everett, Washington factory. The aircraft, which is set to begin international service later this year, received a custom livery, which includes a curved “swoop” — which oddly enough appears to be the focus of design chatter. That may just be because the public has yet to take a peek inside, though we did have an opportunity to hitch a ride on ANA’s variant last year, which has been flying throughout Japan since late 2011. Despite All Nippon’s head start, United’s flavor has garnered much attention domestically, marking a massive milestone in the Dreamliner’s delayed launch. Hit up our source link below for a few more (exterior) views, courtesy of United.
Filed under: Transportation
United 787 Dreamliner emerges from Boeing factory, complete with golden head-to-tail ‘swoop’ originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Jul 27
The B-52 Stratofortress can carry up to 30,000 pounds of weapons, including—most importantly!—nukes. And it can carry them virtually all around the planet, designed to start (or retaliate) nuclear warfare. Here’s a look at armageddon, in night vision. More »
Jul 24
Everything You Need To Make Flying as Comfortable as Your Actual Vacation [Toolkit]
Posted in: Today's Chili
Vacations are supposed to be a chance to travel to an exotic locale, enjoy a week of rest and relaxation, and leave your worries behind. But if your destination can only be reached by plane, your trip ends up being wrapped in hours of stress while you’re flying to and from your vacation spot. More »
Jul 15
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