RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Stopping Flaps, deep flight

[<jonw@psubs.org>]

Hi Andy,

I attended UI, but missed Hawkes.  I was only there for the one day that I
was speaking and I think Hawkes spoke the day before.  Dan Lance was there
for Hawkes presentation though and could probably comment on it.

Dean, check out Alec Smyth's video from the 2006 convention when "Snoopy"
ran into an underwater cable that was suspended about a foot or so off the
bottom.  The cable is first visible at about time mark 2:23, and collision
occurs at about time mark 2:25.  Assuming Alec had a speed brake of the
kinds that have been discussed, he would have had about two seconds to
react, throw the switch on the brake, and then have the brake deploy and
actually start working.  In the film, it appears obvious that Alec never saw
the obstruction and therefore couldn't have reacted to it to deploy a brake.
You'll notice that the motors on "Snoopy" are still running even after first
contact with the cable.  With the force of the motors continuing to push
"Snoopy" against the cable, it "snaps" upward which makes a loud noise and
gets Alec's attention.  Then you hear him stop the motors and the tension in
the cable pushes the sub backwards.  I'm not very good at guessing speed
through water, but I suspect he was doing no more than 3 knots.  Even in
clear deep water, visibility may be limited to the distance your lights are
thrown.

Jon



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
[mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org]On Behalf Of Andrew
Goldstein
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 4:56 PM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Stopping Flaps, deep flight



Jay,

Agree with the points in last email, still seems somewhat within the realm
of possibility to do it.  But might be silly to discuss it
further, at least without putting some numbers on everything.  Esp. without
a reason to be going fast near obstructions and or wanting to stop really
fast.


In regards to Deep Flight.  Graham Hawkes gave a talk at last UI about
progress he was making.  I wasn't there, but I think maybe jon was?  Anyway,
I probably don't have any more info than you do.  I know the first Deep
Flight I was successful enough to help secure funding for further subs.  The
also did (do?) have a "flight school" for the deep flight aviator which
probably brought in some cash.  He has sold the new one "super falcon" for
$2,000,000.  I suppose it depends how you measure success.  There were
certainly more k-250 hulls built so if # of hulls is the metric than....But
I guess I would say if the sub comes back up and helps the builder go on to
build more subs that it was a success.  It is pretty cool no mater how you
look at it.  But very $$$$ which may also limit the number of hulls and
cause the owner to be very very careful with it.    Also, I think more often
than not most uses of subs preclude fast hydrobatic type vehicles (like
making movies or doing science
etc.)  so something like Deep Worker, JSL, or a k-250 will get more
operational time.

He did get a cameo on the opening theme to that last short-lived star trek
tv show...:)



-a




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