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Wednesday,
31st October 2001 - Windjet takes British honours
| Today,
Windjet cracked the British Wind Powered Land Speed
Record. Using two independent measuring devices (in this case light
gates and a radar gun) Windjet was clocked at a speed of 86 mph. |
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| "We're
delighted to have broken the British record with Windjet,"
said 24 year old pilot Richard Jenkins. "It's frustrating that
we didn't break the world record, as we've exceeded the official speed
in testing, however this is a major achievement for British engineering
and we're convinced we'll beat the world record soon." |
A
speed just shy of 100 mph was recorded but could not be verified by more
than one measuring devices as Windjet's sleek aerodynamic
shape proved to be a very difficult target to lock onto with radar and
laser speed guns.
Although
the British record is now firmly under Windjet's belt, the
team are determined not to stop there.
| "This
is only the start," said Jenkins. "We plan to add the World
Record to the craft's honours in the very near future, then it's on
to the water and ice records. The other craft are currently in production
and we are expecting great things from them." |
The
average wind speed recorded on the day only amounted to 19 knots - slightly
lower that the expected 25 knots.
Tuesday,
30th October 2001 - Windjet team prepare for record run
The
Windjet team are making final preparations for their record challenge
tomorrow with wind speeds predicted to be 25 knots with gusts of over
30 knots.
| Richard
Jenkins, Project Director and Pilot said, "The Met Office
have provided a very favourable prediction for tomorrow's winds. The
look to be coming in from the right direction and at a suitable speed.
If the rain holds out we should be making some very fast runs and
there is a good chance that we may take the record." |
Friday,
19th October 2001 - Windjet completes thorough static load test
programme
Because
of the massive loads the Windjet craft must endure during
a high speed run, thorough testing of the craft must be completed prior
to every record run. This is to ensure that the craft can withstand high
load without failure which, at speeds in excess of 100 mph, could prove
fatal for the pilot.
|
Static
load, equal to one and a half times the maximum load the craft would
experience at high speed, is applied to the craft via weights and
winches. The weights simulate the vertical forces produced by the
stub wings and the winch load, applied to the sail horizontally, adds
additional load. |
| This
combination in akin to 'flying a wheel' (where the side forces produced
by the sail begin to tip the craft over) and hence this is a good
proof that the craft can withstand such loads. This kind of testing
puts enormous strain on the tyres, wheels and running gear, as can
be seen by the deformation of the tyre in the image on the right. |
|
Needless
to say, Windjet passed these tests admirably and further
proved her readiness to challenge the records.
Thursday,
18th October 2001 - BBC Online run Windjet feature
BBC
Online's Sport Team ran an piece on Windjet in today's sports
section.
To
read the article on-line, click here.
Friday,
12th October 2001 - RAF Waddington offers words of encouragement
Following
Windjet's Official Press Launch earlier this week, Group
Captain Whittingham from the RAF Station at Waddington (Windjet's
test site) released this statement;
| "I
am delighted that we have been able to offer Royal Air Force Waddington's
facilities to aid the Windjet team's attempt on the Wind-powered
World Land Speed Record. As part of the Royal Air Force Board's vision
for our Service, they wish to see an Air Force that fosters professionalism
and team spirit founded on commitment and self-discipline - I think
the Windjet team fits the bill admirably. I wish them every
success with this exciting project which harnesses British technology,
sport and the spirit of adventure." |
Thursday,
11th October 2001 - The Times cover Windjet Launch
The
Times newspaper features Windjet in today's sports section.
To
read the article on-line, click here.
Wednesday,
10th October 2001 - Windjet Press Launch takes place in Central
London
Today,
Windjet was officially revealed to the public and press
at St. Katharine's Dock in London. Following a presentation to members
of the press and a brief question and answer session, Richard Jenkins
(Project Director and Pilot), the land craft and the Windjet
team were on hand for the remainder of the day to introduce the project
to the public.
Sunday,
7th October 2001 - Windjet concludes a long weekend at Bruntingthorpe
Windjet
has just spent a long weekend filming at Bruntingthorpe, near Leicester.
Good weather conditions and the long Bruntingthorpe runway provided a
perfect location for further filming for the Windjet documentary,
currently in production.
The
Windjet team would like to thank Dave Walton for all his
assistance.
Monday,
1st October 2001 - Windjet Land Craft in Record Breaking condition
The
Windjet land craft is now in record breaking condition following
final systems tests at the weekend on the airfield at RAF Waddington.
The record challenge is scheduled to take place within the next month,
weather permitting, after an Official Press Launch in London.
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