Stratolauncher

[Elwyn]

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.

[CAPFlyer]

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

[Elwyn]

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

[Elwyn]

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.

[RandolphB]

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

[Elwyn]

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.

[Lon Moer]

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.”

[quemerford]

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...?

[phil65]

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...

Phil

[Elwyn]

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

[Elwyn]

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

[Elwyn]

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.

[phil65]

Six Pratt's....

Phil

[phil65]

For sale....

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

Phil

[Elwyn]

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".