Entry page. Full list of 787 flying machines. Picture: the Yakovlev VVP-6.
The History of Helicopters and Autogyros
May 15, 2009 by Filed Under: Aviation, Helicopters, Obsolete technology, Travel
Sailing Rockets
May 5, 2009 by Filed Under: Boats, Racing, Sailing ships, Travel, Wind Power
This unconventional sailing boat, named the SailRocket, reached a record speed of 47.35 knots (87.6 km/h or 54.43 mph), on average over a distance of 500 meters. During another run, the boat reached a speed of 52 knots before lifting off
for a spectacular in-the-air wipeout (also caught on video). More below.
Miracle biofuels
May 4, 2009 by Filed Under: Biofuel, Ecotech Myths, Travel
“If you grow jatropha in marginal conditions, you can expect marginal yields” & “The best outcome might be to slow down the jatropha steamroller and let science sort out whether it can be grown on a mass scale in ways that
make it preferable to food-based biofuels”. Read. Related: Leave the algae alone.
High speed trains
April 21, 2009 by Filed Under: Ecotech Myths, Trains, Travel
“We would be so much better off simply fixing up and reactivating the normal-speed track system that is sitting out there rusting in the rain — and save our more grandiose visions for a later time”. Read.
Previously: How eco-friendly is a high speed train? / The age of speed / Only idiots travel by train.
Four wheels good, two legs bad
“Eurotunnel doesn’t take foot passengers, which is fair enough given you stay in the car on the journey. But if we hop up the road to the Eurostar passenger service from Ashford to Calais, the four of us will have to fork out at least £220. Different service, I know. But same tunnel. And more than three times as much. For not taking a car”. Fred Pearce again, on ferry and train fares. Previously: Only idiots travel by train / Life without airplanes.
Kiteboating
April 16, 2009 by Filed Under: Boats, Kites, Sailing ships, Travel, Wind Power
Following kitesurfing, kite buggying, kite landboarding and snowkiting (no slope required); kiteboating:
Airplay Kitesailing, Kite For Sail, KiteCat, the pioneers.
Previously: kitesurfing for cargo vessels. Related: sailing at the touch of a button / Sailing Rockets.
