Facet Opel

Not strictly "on subject" but still thought some might enyoy seeing these awsome simulator-vids....best I've seen... max your screens...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8SGwOekgIo&feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8SGwOekgIo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8SGwOekgIo&feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8SGwOekgIo&feature=related
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http://www.youtube.com/user/kt088#p/a

YouTube - kt088's Channel

EZBuild....your grounded. In a cop/buddy movie they'd say you're a "loose cannon", then take away your badge and gun. You know what happens next. Yada, yada, yada, you solve the crime anyway, get a big pat on the back, etc.

Originally Posted by EzyBuildWing

Not strictly "on subject" but still thought some might enyoy seeing these awsome simulator-vids....best I've seen... max your screens...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8SGwOekgIo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/user/kt088#p/a

YouTube - kt088's Channel

Just so you know, that's not a flight sim, it's a first person shooter game called Battlefield 2; it lets you use a bunch of different vehicles, from jeeps to tanks to aircraft; so while what he's doing is impressive, it's obviously not supposed to be anywhere near realistic

I am new to this forum and would like to say that I have enjoyed reading this topic.
I guess that I am one of the lucky ones that knew Scott. Wewere best mates when we were kids at school.He had a keen interest in aircraft then.
I renewed my aquaintance with his brother Dean about 18-19 years ago when I was flying radio controlled models and was invited to his workshop. He had told me about the Opal,Scotts acheivements with it and of his tragic demise. The remains of the Opal were stacked neatly in a corner of the shed. There was some talk of it being reconstructed and displayed as a tribute to both Scott and his achievements.
It is hard to believe that it is now 20 years since he left us.

Originally Posted by GeorgeP

I am new to this forum and would like to say that I have enjoyed reading this topic.
I guess that I am one of the lucky ones that knew Scott. Wewere best mates when we were kids at school.He had a keen interest in aircraft then.
I renewed my aquaintance with his brother Dean about 18-19 years ago when I was flying radio controlled models and was invited to his workshop. He had told me about the Opal,Scotts acheivements with it and of his tragic demise. The remains of the Opal were stacked neatly in a corner of the shed. There was some talk of it being reconstructed and displayed as a tribute to both Scott and his achievements.
It is hard to believe that it is now 20 years since he left us.

Thanks for posting, George.

From your acquaintance with Scott's family, coupled with the talk of reconstruction, do you think the family would reveal at least some basic information about the Opel? Further photographs, drawings, or even airfoil profile would be most interesting.

Hi Group,

by cheer coincidence, I found another Facet Opal related video on YouTube:

YouTube - Scott Winton's World Records in the Opal

YouTube - Scott Winton's World Records in the Opal
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cheers!

Hans
___________
IBIS canard homebuilt aircraft

Can anyone spell "claustrophobic"?

Sorry that this is so out of date, but I just CAN'T let it slide by. I don't know about what you've seen fly, but in RC gliders efficient use of energy is VERY important. At least in thermal flying. We want the same characteristics you full scale guys want, though perhaps we can't accept quite as much of a hit to the handling since we're not on board to read the instruments and feel it. We also want the ability to take about 30 g's or so for those vicious zoom launches. In the last few years, rc contest gliders have become much more optimized and now use airfoils less than 10 percent thick, and of course we've used flaps and ailerons to increase or decrease camber as needed for the task. We need to deal with winds that are two or three times as strong relative to our stall speed.

I used to own a glider with a 17:1 aspect ratio. Floated well and had a pretty good speed range too.

What you've described below is a trainer.

Of course, you don't see a lot of serious thermal contest gliders that are flying wings. Perhaps we'll see more when augmented stability becomes commonplace.

Originally Posted by Topaz

In the small flight envelope in which they operate, they're very nice flying airplanes. Radio-controlled airplanes - especially gliders - are perhaps the ultimate 'point designs', in that all you really care about is easy stability and control. Efficient use of energy is very much a secondary concern. So it's pretty easy to design a flying-wing R/C airplane. Not so much in full-scale.

That's only a problem if you're a claustrophobe.
He designed this plane to set records. I suppose that it wouldn't have to be much more confining than a sailplane. As long as you have enough room to move around a bit, the wide open view in a sailplane, including downwards doesn't seem confining. If you're packed right in though it would get tired fast. Mustangs have surprisingly narrow cockpits....I guess that ME109's would be downright confining. I think I've heard that some people can't close the canopy. The seat must not go down far enough for them.

I'd think that an extreme supine seating position could get uncomfortable and ironically limit the view somewhat because it becomes harder to look in some directions. Not that it applies for this plane, I don't know why anybody shows prone seating positions. That recent whiz bang NASA personal plane was like that.

Originally Posted by bmcj

Can anyone spell "claustrophobic"?

Originally Posted by BDD

That's only a problem if you're a claustrophobe.
He designed this plane to set records. I suppose that it wouldn't have to be much more confining than a sailplane. As long as you have enough room to move around a bit, the wide open view in a sailplane, including downwards doesn't seem confining. If you're packed right in though it would get tired fast. Mustangs have surprisingly narrow cockpits....I guess that ME109's would be downright confining. I think I've heard that some people can't close the canopy. The seat must not go down far enough for them.

I'd think that an extreme supine seating position could get uncomfortable and ironically limit the view somewhat because it becomes harder to look in some directions. Not that it applies for this plane, I don't know why anybody shows prone seating positions. That recent whiz bang NASA personal plane was like that.

Nobody shows prone because prone won't work. Bad head position, bad eye placement, can't see behind, too much stress on neck, need for chin rest, blood flow in-optimum in high G moves, yada yada yada. This from the research flight surgeon at Wright Patterson centrifuge lab some years ago.

Supine vastly better, esp. eye/head placement, better blood flow delays blackout, esp. with knees/legs elevated, which means blood does not pool in lower body/legs as much, so fast pants not needed generally. Sailplanes fly for extended periods in tight turns, to thermal, and supine is the only position that would allow it. Proven technique. Confortable as a Lazy Boy recliner. That's why F-16s and sailplanes have pretty laid back seats.

Pilot reports on Horten position were pretty positive, I recall. But then perhaps they knew what side their bread was buttered on. At least when they could still get it. And perhaps compared to Me 163 it was more comforting, if not more comfortable.

If your want information on the Facet Opal you will find it at www.flyingforfun.net The Opal is still in existance and may fly again.

Daviy, I can't find anything at all on that site. Where should I be looking?

Addaon, from the home page click "Aviation Pioneers" then "Scott Winton".

Good find! Neat little magazine! Thanks

Billyray