The Astroliner

[daveesl77]

So I take it this is you guys last year? WOW!!!!

[Atomic77]

Yes Dave, that's us winning the World Championships.
KC... I am one of two full time guys at the shop. We have 22 others that go to races only. At the shop, I do everything. You name it. My speciality is carbon fiber and paint. At the races, I'm the wing tech and fuel calibration. I try to have fun and not work real hard at a race because when the girls come home we have to really kick butt to get ready for the next race. But... if something happens at the race I'm the one that does the carbon fiber repair and gets her back to looking good for the cameras. I pretty much do all the things you mentioned.

[KCStudly]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing that. I have a whole new appreciation for who you are and what you do.

That video is really cool. One of the things that struck me the most, other than just how dangerous it is, is how much the diagonal struts under the rear wing flex. Zowie.

[Atomic77]

What's crazy KC, is those
V-Braces are made from T-6 Aluminum. We have stood on them in the shop and can't get them to do that!

[Breytie]

We broke our front canard in that incident, but went on to win!

That is some lucky or damn good pilot - how the heck could he keep going with a broken canard? Isn't that what keeps him from taking off and flying off into the sunset or changing into a self-shredding torpedo?

[Atomic77]

Specifically the aircraft cable that actuates the canard broke, leaving the canard in a neutral position (luckily). It killed the straightaway speed because he could no longer pack air in the air trap under the boat, but at least it didn't cause a blow-over.

[Atomic77]

http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sp ... /29746111/

[KCStudly]

Hey Atomic, have you ever been to the http://www.atomicalebrewpub.com/ in Richland, WA? Next time your race schedule takes you there you should give it a try; highly recommended.

(I think I may be having another deja vu moment... or is that a senior moment? )

[Atomic77]

Yep! Been there several times for our post race celebrations!

[Atomic77]

Since I can't post any pictures of the camper progress, I thought I would post a picture of what I am doing now...
Who's got marshmallows?!

[dales133]

Uh oh!

[KCStudly]

Kerosene flavored marshmallows? meh.

The guys not wearing hearing protection? What? What's that you say?

(kidding)

Very cool... or should I say "hot".

[Atomic77]

Yeah we were doing a trailer fire, and the driver forgot to kick on the igniters. By the time he figured it out we had a little too much Jet-A laying in the can. Opa!!!

[dales133]

Did you get around to refitting the filion before race season mike?

[Atomic77]

No...I just flat ran out of time. She's stored away for now. As soon as race season is over I'll be ready to try again!