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Ethiopian man will arrive in a self-made airplane on his wedding
India Today ^ | 11-26-2015 | Sanjana Agnihotri

Posted on 11/26/2015 1:01:20 PM PST by Citizen Zed

On November 28, the fearless Ethiopian will make a flying debut and marry his fiance Seble Bekele the moment he lands. This will be his second attempt after he first taxied to a runway 40 kilometers but a broken propeller ruined his chance of flying.

However, Asmelash Zeferu is all set with a new engine that doubles his power to 78 horsepower and has even sought professional advice for flying.

Flying has always been a dream for Zeferu, since childhood he wanted to become a pilot but he had to meet with disappointment when he got to know he did not meet the air school height requirements. He was just a centimeter short.

But Zeferu did not take the setback too hard, instead he decided to build his own aircraft and fly in it. It took him ten years of hard labour to achieve it, with aviation manuals and YouTube tutorials being his teachers.

Zeferu modeled his plane on one used by trainee pilots in the US in the 1920s and 30s. There were some parts of the plane which were bought second hand and some salvaged, but he could not find a cheap Ford engine.

But completing all the finished task, he is also set to be among a pioneering group of amateur enthusiasts from the continent. He has even taken advice from fellow flight enthusiasts and made modifications.

Zeferu will return to the same airfield and attempt to fly in his newly modified machine. For him the main concern is about landing safely and plans to take off at 90 mph and 10 meters height.

The aviation geek hopes a flight school accepts him after his attempt turns a success. Zeferu dreams of becoming an aerospace engineer at NASA.

(Excerpt) Read more at indiatoday.intoday.in ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: 201511; 20151128; aeronautics; aerospace; aviation; ethiopia; zeferu
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To: Rodamala

I know. My mom’s husband has one of each type of plane and recently went on BP meds. He can only fly one of them right now.


61 posted on 11/26/2015 2:56:08 PM PST by cyclotic (Liberalism is what smart looks like to stupid people.)
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To: Texan5; All

The dream of flight is filled with trial and error.

The thing he built still looks safer than much of the stuff flown in WW1.

I applaud this guy for following his dream.
Exactly the kind of guy that should be HERE:
Experimental Aircraft Association
http://www.eaa.org/eaa


62 posted on 11/26/2015 2:57:39 PM PST by tcrlaf (They told me it could never happen in America. And then it did....)
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To: aomagrat
“Has he heard of John Denver?”

John Denver's aircraft didn't crash because of faulty materials.

63 posted on 11/26/2015 3:00:11 PM PST by dljordan (WhoVoltaire: "To find out who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticize.")
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To: Citizen Zed

Why did the property come off in the video? The rotating mass of the prop wants to go one constant speed. A reciprocating engine speeds up and slows down as it goes through the combustion cycle. Only a strengthened crank end can sustain the stress. If the rest of his construction is as well engineered he will certainly die. If he can avoid groundlooping, The plane will fly, high enough to kill him when the ground rises up to smite him.


64 posted on 11/26/2015 3:01:18 PM PST by kik5150
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To: kik5150

Prop, not property


65 posted on 11/26/2015 3:02:15 PM PST by kik5150
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To: 4yearlurker

Don’t see a prop. That tail wheel is looking quite robust.


66 posted on 11/26/2015 3:24:23 PM PST by Nuc 1.1 (Nuc 1 Liberals aren't Patriots. Remember 1789!)
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To: Citizen Zed

I admire the guy’s tenacity, but he has never piloted a plane before, and he is going to try and fly his own homemade airplane without, I’m assuming, an expert inspecting his craft. What could go wrong?


67 posted on 11/26/2015 3:27:59 PM PST by driftless2 (For long term happiness, learn how to play the accordion)
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To: FourPeas

Same here, I hope he achieves his dreams and lives a long and happy life with his bride.


68 posted on 11/26/2015 3:49:45 PM PST by kalee
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To: Husker24

Reminds me of Sid Caesar and Edie Adams in Mad Mad Mad Mad World when they rented the old bi-plane to get a jump on the other treasure seekers.


69 posted on 11/26/2015 4:02:41 PM PST by JaguarXKE (n1973: Reporters investigate All the President's Men. 2013: Reporters ARE all the President's men d)
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To: FourPeas
I hope both his flight and his marriage are amazing successes and are remembered happily for generations to come.

God bless you, I do too.

70 posted on 11/26/2015 4:06:02 PM PST by Talisker (One who commands, must obey.)
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To: Citizen Zed
"The aviation geek hopes a flight school accepts him after his attempt turns a success he gets out of the hospital, if he survives."
71 posted on 11/26/2015 6:36:56 PM PST by TChad
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To: Citizen Zed

Now, this guy is a real dreamer... unlike people rushing over the border to get free benefits.


72 posted on 11/26/2015 7:00:54 PM PST by piasa
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To: Citizen Zed

I really wish this guy would try unpowered flight first... then something more akin to the Wright Brothers... then if he survives that...


73 posted on 11/26/2015 7:05:57 PM PST by piasa
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To: uncle fenders

Wings mostly look like dope and fabric


74 posted on 11/26/2015 7:07:51 PM PST by piasa
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To: Lonesome in Massachussets

He took off nearly empty of fuel, thought 1 of the two was full IIRC...


75 posted on 11/26/2015 8:37:45 PM PST by Axenolith (Government blows, and that which governs least, blows least...)
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To: Axenolith

One of two tanks was full. The one connected to the fuel pump was empty. He did not have time to switch tanks before he crashed. The empty tank had just a enough fuel to impart a dangerous dose of kinetic energy, but not enough to maintain flight or achieve altitude. The full tank had more than enough fuel to burn him to a cinder. BTW, he had just bought the plane and it was his first day flying it. RIP.


76 posted on 11/27/2015 4:51:10 AM PST by Lonesome in Massachussets (Men need a reason to shop. Women need a place.)
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To: twister881
What do you call a fiancee whose future husband kills himself?

Available.

77 posted on 11/27/2015 8:10:46 AM PST by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: Lonesome in Massachussets
NTSB report

More detailed report leading up to crash of N555JD

78 posted on 12/08/2015 6:55:13 AM PST by hattend (Firearms and ammunition...the only growing industries under the Obama regime.)
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