US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/18/scien ... .html?_r=1
A new experimental airplane being built by NASA could help push electric-powered aviation from a technical curiosity and pipe dream into something that might become commercially viable for small aircraft.

“The X-57 will take the first giant step in opening a new era of aviation,” Mr. Bolden declared.

The steps taken by NASA will not translate into all-electric cross-country jetliners. But the agency hopes the technology can be incorporated into smaller, general aviation and commuter aircraft some years from now.


Hang Glider Control Scientists are working on it.

The plan is to retrofit existing hang glider batten pockets to fit a 4" diameter Electric leaf blower. Up to 8 could be needed to achieve adequate thrust for take off.

To measure the thrust of a leaf blower simply stand on a scale with the leaf blower pointing upward and measure the additional weight when it is switched on.

This leaf blower is too weak, we need 100lbs of thrust.


The concept is sound, this leaf blower R/C has attained flight.


Now to test it on a small child.


For reference, The new brushless lithiom ion 530cfm EGO 530CFM BLOWER LB5302

Up to 8 could be needed to achieve adequate thrust for take off.

I've got a hill for takeoff.
How many for zero sink?


$129.00 4.0A      56V at 16.0A required at full power. 110 mph output at "Turbo Boost" - 480 CFM (not 530).

You could, for instance, remove the battery and handle section (gray part) and mount four power units over the pilot's back inside a streamlined harness (20 lb.).
http://www.homedepot.com/p/EGO-110-mph-530-CFM-Variable-Speed-Turbo-56-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Leaf-Blower-Battery-and-Charger-Not-Included-LB5300/206689465?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D28I-PortableOutdoorPower%7c&gclid=CL2e29_AzM4CFciDfgodXLgMlw&gclsrc=aw.ds
The battery pack could be mounted in the harness or fastened to the keel.
This would be pretty light.
Use them for any glider.
Recharging options?
Fire suppression?

"Short battery life. In fact, one review posted on the EGO website claimed that the unit will only run for about 7 minutes on the highest setting..."
http://www.highya.com/ego-blower-reviews
A much larger battery pack will be required.

Most probably, the motorized battens on the NASA plane are/will be equipped with fold-able props.

There is a reason why props tend to be too large to be contained in a cage: The smaller the diameter the more the air has to be accelerated to achieve the same thrust. But more acceleration also spends more energy into vortices and all kinds of turbulence. Electric propulsion of full scale aircraft are limited by the amount of energy at an acceptable weight. So the small diameter of the leaf blower nozzle does not help.

---<)kaimartin(>---

Yes the x-57 has folding props.

"The X-57’s version of shifting into high gear is shutting off those 12 engines and letting their propellers fold back to become flush with the wing."
http://www.wired.com/2016/06/nasas-new- ... weet-tech/

But why are they using 12 engines? For the power needed to take off.
During takeoff and landing, the 12 small motors kick on for about 30 seconds. Think of this as the low gear torque that your car needs to get moving after being stopped at a red light. Once it’s moving, the X-57’s version of shifting into high gear is shutting off those 12 engines (their propellers fold back to become flush with the wing)

The darker part of this post is why use leaf blowers? The new 2016 2nd generation technology is one reason but also for the same reason Dixie Land Jazz bands used the abandoned marching band instruments of the defeated Confederate army, so could aviators and bicyclists use the many thousands of abandoned leaf blowers by the multitude guest workers that are forced to re enter the country and apply for a new work permit depending on the out come of the November 8th election.(political)


I still don't have a thrust figure, Jim Heaton said he has a 250mph leaf blower.
The idea of a harness mounted, or a detachable towing tug may also work.