Tom Daily

Payload activation is now underway following the successful completion of the commissioning phase of LizzieSat-1 (LS-1) by Sidus Space. The Payload operations phase aims to fulfill customer needs, goals, and objectives while optimizing LizzieSat-1 performance to achieve mission success within required power, thermal, attitude control, and data downlink constraints. Sidus expects to achieve primary objectives in the coming weeks.

3

We #swisslathe machine a lot of pew pew parts that are quite similar but the firing pin seems to have infinite variations🔫⚙️ Of course firing pins detonate primers, but not everyone can define esoteric aspects of these parts. For example, firing pins that have the sear notch built into them, like the P-08 Parabellum and many of the smaller automatics, are properly called "strikers". Strikers --- these usually have a spring inside the body, therefore weakening the head to some extent. Unique is that strikers never are acted upon by a hammer. But strikers usually share a weakness found in many shotgun firing pins, so I make it a practice to dry-fire a shotgun or any other striker-equipped firearm only when absolutely necessary. Using an adequate dry-fire shell makes them less prone to breakage. Some rifles, such as the Arisaka, Mauser, Mosin-Nagant and others on the Mauser design, also use strikers too. The 700 Remington has what looks like a striker, but it is a quasi-striker system because the firing pin is released by a camming action and not the sear. Transfer Bar --- In the 1970s, gun accidents and disproportionate jury awards prompted many manufacturers to modify their designs to include a bar or other mechanism to transfer the hammer’s momentum to the firing pin only when the trigger was pulled. This was supposed to eliminate misfires when the firearm was dropped on the hammer or in such a way that the blow caused the gun to fire. In revolvers, this mainly appeared as a bar that lifted up when the trigger was pulled and was safe from the hammer due to a recess in the front of the hammer. Hammer Block --- but other manufacturers saw transfer bars as going backwards and employed a similar mechanism to block the hammer from the firing pin. In the case of firing pins attached to the hammers, this blocking bar kept both the hammer and the firing pin from the primer. Firing-Pin with Locking Pins --- Some otherwise good firearms whose manufacturers felt compelled to place blocking devices directly in contact with the firing pins, notably the Colt Series 80, use this system. In that 1911, several levers must be moved by the trigger before they raise a spring-loaded blocking pin out of the locking notch in the firing pin. Active Firing Pins --- If the hammer has a hole in the front or a cross-pinning hole in its side, it had an active firing pin, one that swings with the hammer and strikes the primer through a hole in the frame. Soooo many others too, it's mind boggling! Not to mention choices of materials too! From heat treated carbon steels, to tool steels to stainless and even titanium! There are just too many designs of firing pins for them all to be listed! We enjoy machining them all! 🤓 #manufacturing #cnc #machining #design

82

19 Comments

Large VTOLS (Vertical Take Off and Landing)

3

SpaceX Updates Rideshare Requirements: Additive Manufactured Tanks Discouraged SpaceX has issued an important update to its Rideshare Payload User’s Guide (RPUG), significantly tightening requirements for pressure vessels flying on Falcon 9. What’s Changed: Design & Test Requirements. According to the revised guidelines, SpaceX strongly prefers United States Department of Transportation (US DOT)–certified tanks that operate within published limits and approved working fluids. Tanks lacking DOT certification, referred to in Section 5.5.2.2 as “Non-US DOT Pressure Vessels,” now require a detailed review of their qualification and acceptance testing. The guide also introduces the “15% Rule,” prohibiting Type 2, 3, 4, or 5 pressurized-structure tanks if non-pressure loading accounts for more than 15 percent of the maximum combined flight stress. A notable shift is the restriction of additively manufactured (AM) tanks. While SpaceX hints that future screening methods may eventually permit these tanks, for now, any payload provider using AM must alert the company early in the design and integration process. If teams fail to disclose an AM tank, they risk having their hardware disallowed altogether. In Section 5.5.1, Table 5-6 outlines the specific design and test factors for different pressure components. Next Steps for Prospective Rideshare Customers. Review Section 5.5 and Table 5-6 thoroughly to ensure understanding of design and test factors for your specific vessel type—particularly yield and burst pressures. If you are considering additively manufactured (AM) tanks, contact SpaceX immediately. Although the latest guide currently prohibits AM tanks, there may be a narrow path for approval if you engage with SpaceX’s engineering team early. Delaying or failing to disclose the use of AM could jeopardize your mission viability. Next, verify all pressurized loading cases. Any non-pressure loads on pressurized-structure tanks must not exceed 15% of the total stress; if your design is near this threshold, be prepared for additional testing or revisions as laid out in Section 6.8.3. If your tank lacks DOT certification, plan for substantial paperwork and testing. This includes submitting a qualification and acceptance test plan that demonstrates compliance with AIAA and AFSPC 91-710 standards, emphasizing your vessel’s safety and reliability. Finally, maintain a “Plan B.” If you are set on using AM technology but cannot secure approval in time, consider a backup design featuring traditional manufacturing or a DOT-certified solution. This approach can help you avoid costly delays and keep your mission on track despite the stricter requirements.  #additivemanufacturing #propellanttanks #spaceexploration #launchservices

44

3 Comments

©GeBTL; exclusivity for higher inclusion!     Where "exclusivity" is NOT synonymous with "exclusion;" just consider the following: "Looking for fleet of 25 commercial/civil twin-engine medium rotorcraft helicopters with..." Where a request of such nature, and offers towards it, are only suited for & relevant to the Key Executive Decision-Makers of the Global Business Network, who are actually active in that specific field, and have the business & commercial capacity to add value directly, privately & confidentially; "exclusivity" business model & mindset are to reduce noise of unwanted interactions, and to increase "inclusion" of value-adding interactions. In other words, where Online Platforms & Their Physical Forums Counterparts Globally; which are based on random connections, third-part agents, and enormous redundant interactions, and as the result are not adding the required value to such Requests or Offers; it is time to rethink the business model; hence; GeBTL.com - ©exclusivity for executives! To comply; since its inception in 2007, GeBTL.com has been offering its carefully-selected, and fully-screened, and - validated Key Executive Members globally with Global Business Privilege of Selectivity, Privacy, Confidentiality, Multi-Level, and Direct Communication & Connectivity. To be considered as part of this elite and private Business Concept and Group, be sure to visit GeBTL.com:   - The Business Model: https://lnkd.in/gkqF6R3s - Membership Benefit: https://lnkd.in/g-zT7vA8 - Membership Request: https://lnkd.in/ggJbidcP #business #future #communication #connections #connectivity #connectionmatters #founders #founder #network #businessopportunities #businessmodel #internationalbusiness #globalbusinessplatform #dataprivacy #businessprivacy #executivebusinessplatform #internationalbusinessdevelopment #internationaltrade #globalbusiness #worldtrade #highvalue #valueproposition #globalinvestment #globalexpansion #globaleconomy #GeBTL #globalbusinessopportunity #businessexecutive #executives #ceoforum #wto #businesscommunication #businesscommunity #businessalliance #globalbrands #globalbusinessservices #businessplatform #tradeshow #tradeshows #tradefair #tradefinance #internationalmarketing #worldeconomicforum #internationalmonetaryfund #exclusivecollection #exclusiveoffer #exclusivity #exclusivité #internationalexpansion #worldbank #internationalinvestment #mergersandacquisitions #europeanunion #europeanmarkets #europeancentralbank #boardofdirectors #boardoftrades #worldwide #executiveclub #privateclubs #europeancommission #commerceinternational #globalcommerce #worldeconomy #worldeconomicforum #worldmarket #globalmarket #globalmarketplace #globalmarketaccess #investment #funding #sourcing #privacy #opportunity #socialmedia #ceoforum #globalization #fintech #venturecapital #angelinvestor #AI #Artificialintelligence #chatgpt #merger #mergerandaquisition #businessmodels #brand #corporatebrand

3

Good to know drones other than the MQ-1 and earlier models of the MQ-9 are ALSO affected by icing. It is funny how the drone industry keeps rediscovering problems solved my manned aircraft back in the 1930’s. I think part of the issue is drone designers don’t involve enough aerospace engineers on their design team. The start-up culture in the drone industry thinks of drones as computers that happen to have wings or props. The reality is one of my mantras- “they are still aircraft.” So, no, Precision Hawk you can’t make your drone fuselage out of circuit board and expect it to survive a hard landing. Yes, DJI, icing does bad things to good drones. And for my early Predator days friends PLEASE don’t post comments about icing on the MQ-1. I’m still emotionally scarred from having to explain to General Chuck Wald (USAF, Ret.) and David A. Deptula that, no, those yahoos did NOT design the MQ-1 to fly in icing conditions. (They fixed it on the MQ-9 and MQ-1C) #drones #uas

31

11 Comments

Unmanned Vehicle Technologies (UVT) and uAvionix Corporation have announced that UVT has received a significant Federal Aviation Administration waiver, identified as 107W-2024-01230, permitting small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) at their Michigan test site. This waiver, granted under Part 107 regulations, marks a pivotal advancement in operational capabilities, opening new opportunities for remote enterprise applications. The waiver allows UVT to conduct BVLOS operations without visual observers (VOs), thanks to the integration of the uAvionix Casia G ground-based detect-and-avoid (DAA) system. This advanced DAA technology provides comprehensive airspace awareness, ensuring the safe operation of drones beyond the visual range of the remote pilot in command (PIC). The uAvionix Casia G system played a crucial role in securing this waiver. Casia G, an advanced DAA solution, is designed to detect and avoid other aircraft, enabling safe and reliable BVLOS operations. This technology was also instrumental in the recent approval of UVT’s customer, the Oswego Police Department’s Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program, which utilizes the same system. “We are thrilled to have received this waiver from the FAA, which validates our commitment to safety and innovation in the UAS industry,” said Matt Rybar, Vice President of Remote Operations at UVT. “The Casia G system from uAvionix is a game-changer, allowing us to expand our operational capabilities and explore new applications for our technology.” The issuance of this waiver to UVT reflects a broader trend in the UAS industry, where both commercial entities and public safety agencies are increasingly obtaining BVLOS waivers. These approvals underscore the critical role of advanced DAA technologies like Casia G in ensuring the safety and efficiency of UAS operations. “The success of our technology in securing BVLOS waivers for both UVT and the Oswego City Police Department is a testament to its reliability and effectiveness,” said Jon Damush, CEO of uAvionix. “We anticipate that more companies and departments will follow suit, leveraging the capabilities of Casia G to enhance their UAS operations.” Read the story on our blog. #AvfoilNews #UVT #uAvionix #FAA #BVLOS #UAS #DroneTechnology #AirspaceSafety #Innovation #Aviation #CasiaG

4

As we see more swift-water and open-water rescues, the VRS will dramatically speed up efforts to save critical time during these operations.

6

An interesting discussion on the downwash and outwash impacts of VTOL aircraft.

5

#DisruptiveTech Lockheed Martin’s highly secretive Skunk Works division released a rendering of a notional stealth tanker meant for the Next-Generation Air Refueling System program, also known as KC-Z, which aims to replace KC-46 and KC-135 tankers in the 2030s. The tanker, which appears smaller than the types it will replace, is shown refueling an F-35A with the flying boom system. The aircraft in the rendering, first published by the Aviation Week Network, appears to be based on a rather large lambda wing with canted twin tails. The engines, possibly two, are buried in the fuselage, with the air inlets under the wing’s root (also called “armpit” inlets) and possibly flat nozzles in the rear. United States Air Force, Campaign Catapult, Pravo Consulting #stealth #airrefuelling #airtankers #skunkworks

19

🎲 Excited for the Commercial UAV News Expo? Here are 5 important questions about commercial drone regulation that will be explored at the event: 1️⃣ Will Part 108 be a turning point for the drone industry? 2️⃣ What are the FAA's current and future regulatory plans? 3️⃣ How to navigate drone regulations for infrastructure projects? 4️⃣ What’s the status of the potential DJI drone ban? 5️⃣ When will we see regulatory changes? You will be able to dive deep into these topics through expert-led sessions and panel discussions. https://lnkd.in/g73jhKRM 

12

3 Comments

It is intriguing and potentially disconcerting. The primary limitation here is the payload size of 10 kg (22 lbs), making its primary civilian use likely to be time-sensitive medical packages (organs, medications, etc.), critical repair parts, especially in emergencies, and broad-area aerial surveillance (forest-fire-fighting, disaster recovery, etc.). That changes as you decrease the overall range in exchange for larger payloads. All the rules that apply to drones (including in warfare) apply here as well. Note that a drone hub with these drones located in Seattle has an effective range of the entire North American continent, especially if you had similar hubs in other major cities.

13

4 Comments

O1 telling me how it is. Saying my current VTOL's foamie airfoil is basically flaming dog shit 😂 I will be using an airfoil shape built for the low Reynolds numbers (smaller scale and lower speeds) for subscale models. I should get 30 to 40% more lift over drag in my v0.2 build over the v0.1 airfoils and even close to 30% more L/D vs classic NACA 2412 or 4412 airfoils. Because endurance is proportional to L/D, this one change directly translates to up to 40% more range. That is INSANE

3

Thanks Ben for letting us share our thoughts on the future of digital radiography for #NDT in #aerospace and the advancements in flexible digital radiography.

5

https://lnkd.in/eaynzRxv Bristow's background in UAM operations is only rivaled by Blade. When they discuss the marketplace, you should take note and pay attention. This article does a good job describing their thoughts on how the shorter range logisitics market will be the first to take hold and prove useful for the AAM industry. While I agree with their assessment in general, I believe Bristow is looking at AAM from their business model POV. The ease of entry from a certification standpoint is much easier. I believe that the range for logistics will extend to the middle mile (nearly 500nm) where the issues of timeliness and utility of the 3rd dimension come into greater play. I also see the technology allowing for larger payloads that would support Medium Haul Logistics (MHL) market viability. BETA Technology, Mighty Fly, and Elroy Air are all making excellent headway in this area. BVLOS waivers are now being normalized in the FAA so longer range drone cargo delivery will soon be available. I also see the Personal Air Vehicle and electric trainer market as being a strong leader in AAM. These smaller niche sub-markets lead by OEMS like Lift, Pivitol, and Jetson as well as established manufacturer Pipistrel support early public acceptance of electric propulsion. Both of these are outside Bristow's business focus, so this most likely is why they were not highlighted in their assessment. I do like the emphasis they have put on the safety culture that must be embedded in any operations. This is where the US and Europe, despite their lagging position in UAM (behind Asia and the Middle East) will get it right in the long run. #aam #bristow #singleseatconsulting

13

3 Comments