Goodies and Gadgets - August 2011
Burt Rutan’s Race to Space
The Magician of Mojave and His Flying Innovations
Written by Dan Linehan
Years ago, Burt Rutan told a reporter for Popular Mechanics, “If we make a courageous decision like the goal and program we kicked off for Apollo in 1961, we will see our children or grandchildren in outposts on other planets.” Legendary science-fiction writer Arthur C. Clark would later recall Rutan’s quote in a piece he wrote about SpaceShipOne and comment, “Fortunately, we need not rely solely on governments for expanding humanity’s presence beyond the Earth.”
Burt Rutan’s Race to Space, written by Dan Linehan with a forward by Mike Melvill, showcases Rutan’s herculean efforts to do just that. Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum displays his most celebrated achievements, including SpaceShipOne, which won the coveted $10 million Ansari X Prize for private spaceflight; Voyager, which hangs with SpaceShipOne in the Milestones of Flight gallery; the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer; and the VariEze. His many aerospace innovations preceding his most recently conceived designs, SpaceShipTwo and WhiteKnightTwo, chronicle a progressive, step-by-step attempt to break barriers with engineering know-how and a wondrous imagination, all the while remaining on the forefront of the burgeoning private spaceflight industry. Rutan’s X Prize triumph and subsequent spacecraft designs are not a beginning, nor an end, but are steps in Burt Rutan’s continuing adventure to expand humanity’s presence beyond the Earth and into space.
This hardcover book’s 160 pages are filled with a combined 225 illustrations and photographs that add to the amazing story of one man’s vision. This new book is available for $30 at wicksaircraft.com or Qbookshop.com.
Sennheiser’s New S1 Headset
The Sennheiser S1 Digital aviation headset is designed to give you maximum control over noise levels in the cockpit, so you can focus on the joy of flying. At the push of a button, the S1’s exclusive NoiseGard digital technology accurately analyzes the cockpit’s noise levels to achieve superior noise cancellation during all phases of flight – from take-off to landing. This headset comes with standard dual GA plugs for fixed wing aircraft.
The S1 has an introductory price of $995 (MSRP $1095), and Aircraft Spruce offers free shipping on this headset (normal free shipping rules apply). For more information, contact Aircraft Spruce at 877/477-7823 and reference part number 11-09919.
The New Beyerdynamic HS 800 Digital Headset
The HS 800 Digital is a closed-back aviation headset. The innovative DANR system (Digital Adaptive Noise Reduction) provides an extraordinary effective active ambient noise attenuation. The headphone features a very high reproduction precision and a balanced sound. Another special feature is the wide frequency response of 5 - 30,000 Hz. The soft, circumaural leather ear pads filled with viscoelastic foam and the adjustable padded headband provide a high level of comfort. The microphone with adjustable gain can be optimally positioned with the flexible gooseneck to ensure a high gain before feedback and noise cancellation. The rotating microphone holder allows positioning the microphone on the right or left hand side.
The connecting cable is single-sided. The connecting cable provides an audio box to adjust the volume of the headphone and to connect a mobile phone, music player (e.g. CD or MP3 player) or iPhone. If signals from the intercom occur, the volume of the mobile phone or music player can be reduced automatically. This auto mute function can be deactivated. The HS 800 Digital includes three pairs of silicon ear pads in different sizes and a soft storage case.
These earphones start at $799 and can be purchased at aircraftspruce.com. For more information, contact Aircraft Spruce at 877/477-7823.
New Tie-Down Kit
These spiral anchors are lightweight and versatile. The folding ring reduces profile to minimize obstruction in high traffic areas. Bright orange color powder coating resists corrosion and helps provide added visibility. These tie-downs are manufactured from strong, durable cold rolled steel and they are powder coated for long life and weather resistance. The spear end of the anchor allows for easy installation into all soil types and provides a high pull force performance of up to 500 pounds per anchor.
This kit includes three 16” corkscrew tie-down anchors, one 3/8” nylon tie-down rope, and one tie-down bag - complete with a manual including installation instructions all for $59.95. For more information, contact Aircraft Spruce at 877/477-7823 and reference part number 13-09652 for the 16” kit.
