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This forum is for discussions pertaining to Air Racing and Aerobatics of NON-Warbird aircraft. In addition this is the place to discuss General Aviation aircraft topics and yes Michael, that includes flying Lawnmowers :)
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Stratolauncher

Sat Dec 31, 2016 1:35 pm

Anyone heard any updates on Paul Allen's Stratolauncher( or whatever they're officially calling it) being built by Scaled Composites? I thought it was supposed to have flown in 2016. I know these projects often move along slower than predicted.

Re: Stratolauncher

Sat Dec 31, 2016 2:08 pm

There was a tweet from Mr. Allen a week or so ago of him touring the facility and the airframe looking structurally about 70% complete.

https://twitter.com/PaulGAllen/status/8 ... 5474911232

Re: Stratolauncher

Sun Jan 01, 2017 5:05 pm

Thanks.That's the most info I've heard in over a year.

Re: Stratolauncher

Wed May 31, 2017 8:00 pm

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/bo ... -its-lair/

Not exactly the prettiest airplane to ever fill up the tarmac. Perhaps a bit too unusual, designed purely for functionality and not style. Maybe it just takes some getting used to, like the VW Beetle. Some nice color trim might make a difference. It almost looks wide enough to land on two runways at the same time.

Re: Stratolauncher

Sat Nov 11, 2017 11:04 am

First engine run-up happened about a week ago. Solid progress being made.

Re: Stratolauncher

Thu Nov 30, 2017 11:00 pm

Anyone know what the wing area of this beast is? I was hoping to get some comparison between it and the other big aircraft. I think the An-225 comes in at 900 square meters(9687 sq feet). If I remember correctly the A380 is around 855(9203). Just checked the AN -124 and it comes in at 628(6759) and the C-5 is 576(6200). The 747-8 comes in at 554(5963). The Spruce Goose comes in at 11,430 sq feet(1,061.8817472 sq meters). Thank God for simple conversion utilities on the internet.

I sent a query to their Facebook page but have not received a response.
Last edited by Elwyn on Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:53 pm, edited 6 times in total.

Re: Stratolauncher

Fri Dec 01, 2017 3:28 pm

Elwyn wrote:Anyone know what the wing area of this beast is? I was hoping to get some comparison between it and the other big aircraft. I think the An-225 comes in at 900 square meters. If I remember correctly the A380 is around 855. Just checked the AN -124 and it comes in at 628 and the C-5 is 576.

From the linked article;

Jean Floyd, chief executive at Stratolaunch Systems, said in a statement that the empty airplane, powered by six used 747 engines, weighs approximately 500,000 pounds.

“That may sound heavy,“ Floyd acknowledged. “But remember that the Stratolaunch aircraft is the world’s largest plane by wingspan, measuring 385 feet. By comparison, a National Football League field spans only 360 feet.”

Re: Stratolauncher

Fri Dec 01, 2017 3:38 pm

Lon Moer wrote:
Elwyn wrote:Anyone know what the wing area of this beast is? I was hoping to get some comparison between it and the other big aircraft. I think the An-225 comes in at 900 square meters. If I remember correctly the A380 is around 855. Just checked the AN -124 and it comes in at 628 and the C-5 is 576.

From the linked article;

Jean Floyd, chief executive at Stratolaunch Systems, said in a statement that the empty airplane, powered by six used 747 engines, weighs approximately 500,000 pounds.

“That may sound heavy,“ Floyd acknowledged. “But remember that the Stratolaunch aircraft is the world’s largest plane by wingspan, measuring 385 feet. By comparison, a National Football League field spans only 360 feet.”


...with a wing area of...?

Re: Stratolauncher

Tue Dec 05, 2017 6:56 pm

I'm usually not too anal; but since I work for Pratt, I take exception with "powered by six used 747 engines".

They are P&W 4000 d@mn it... :P

Phil

Re: Stratolauncher

Wed Feb 28, 2018 8:39 pm

Getting closer!
https://www.space.com/39843-stratolaunc ... stone.html

Re: Stratolauncher

Wed Nov 21, 2018 8:57 pm

I heard they had to do some tweaking on that widely spaced gear to get everything tracking well.

Re: Stratolauncher

Sat Apr 13, 2019 3:05 pm

They did it. First flight!
https://www.theverge.com/transportation ... ht-rockets
https://www.stratolaunch.com/2019/04/13 ... -aircraft/
Last edited by Elwyn on Sat Apr 13, 2019 3:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Re: Stratolauncher

Sat Apr 13, 2019 3:17 pm

Six Pratt's.... :supz:

Phil

Re: Stratolauncher

Fri Jun 14, 2019 6:41 pm

For sale....

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companie ... ocid=ientp

Phil

Re: Stratolauncher

Mon Jul 08, 2019 1:02 pm

I hope somebody picks up the project after all the time and money invested. Glad it at least made a very successful first flight to show it isn't just another "Spruce Goose".
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