A Plane You Can Print

New Scientist.com ^ | 7/21/06 | Paul Marks

[Reaganesque]

Here she is:

Cheap UAVs. No there's a concept.

[llevrok]

Imagine the applications in things like prosthetics for amputees and so forth. This is cool.

[JayNorth]

And since UAVs tend to crash more often than piloted planes.

I know the guys and gals that fly these things are true professionals, but I always have an image of one of them sitting at a computer out at Nellis flying a UAV half a world away. Someone drops into the cubicle and they both walk down to the break room together or whatever. Naw, that couldn't happen, could it?

[Fractal Trader]

Aerospace ping

[Reaganesque]

Ping for the Future Tech List.

[Jet Jaguar]

More here.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1671374/posts

[ChinaThreat]

Could happen, but not likely. Our PC fighter jocks are very professional. The problem lies in spatial reference. Its very difficult to assess depth and spatial references on monitors.

In addition, there is no true "peripheral" vision when flying electronically. The cells that control our peripheral vision are much more sensitive than our focused vision.

On top of this you are dealing with a limited view. Usually limited to the direction a camera is pointing in. If you have the camera view focused in a direction divergent from the direction of the aircraft, it can be horrendeously disorienting.

Most of these guys are x fighter jocks, super-professionals, and concentrate intently. So I wouldn't be suprised to see them reaching for the ejection handles under their office chairs when they loose control of one of these UAVs.

[Samwise]

[Salgak]

That may be true for the current generation of PC fighter jocks. . . but the next generation are currently playing Unreal Tournament, Prey, and similar. . .

The reflexes for computer flight are different from that of physical flight.

And the days of the fighter jock as we know him are coming to an end. . . . in 30 years, he or she will be pimply and horn-rimmed, but absolutely deadly in the air. .

[RS]

"Someone drops into the cubicle and they both walk down to the break room together or whatever. Naw, that couldn't happen, could it?"

No Problem .... simply click and control is sent to that guy in the call center in Bombay ...

[RS]

"The cells that control our peripheral vision are much more sensitive than our focused vision. "

The sensors and computers that will be doing the targeting are going to be much more sensitive then eyeballs.

The eyes will only be handling the rough stuff anyway.

[rottndog]

Works thinks a technique called 3D rapid prototyping, or "3D printing", is the best way to lower costs.

Otherwise known as Stereolithography.

[uglybiker]

I see his name is 'PING'.

Gonna have to use that. ;-)

[Rembrandt]

Orville and Wilbur would be more than just a tad surprised at how far their toy has developed.

[Defiant]

If it's a secret plane, the NY Times will print it.

[freepatriot32]

hate to burst your bubble but they built this plane back in the early 80s and every time it rained the plane freaked out and shot up the crowd then blew up :-)

[Samwise]

I see his name is 'PING'. Gonna have to use that. ;-)

I stole him; you might as well steal him too. :^)

[Professional Engineer]

Heh heh heh

[TChris]

And the days of the fighter jock as we know him are coming to an end. . . . in 30 years, he or she will be pimply and horn-rimmed, but absolutely deadly in the air. .

I think you're probably correct.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

"Orville and Wilbur would be more than just a tad surprised at how far their toy has developed."

Blows my mind sometimes. A friend's grandkid is 3 years old. I was thinking this morning of the changes in technology he's going to see over the next 80+ years.