These brakes will be the ones normally used to slow the vehicle -- the brake set on the front wheel is just a totally independent backup used only in case of emergency.
In 2009 we set out to conclusively answer the following question... Can a vehicle be built which can go directly downwind, faster than the wind (DDWFTTW), powered only by the wind, steady state? On 3 July 2010 we established a world record by going directly downwind at 2.8 times the true wind speed with the Blackbird. Now we have begun to modify the Blackbird with the intention of going directly UP-wind faster than the wind - steady state.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Braking wind
On the eve of our vehicle dynamic testing at New Jerusalem taxiways, I fabricated, installed and cabled up the primary brake lever. The adjustable stops at the base of the lever keep it within the limits of the brake assemblies at the rear.
These brakes will be the ones normally used to slow the vehicle -- the brake set on the front wheel is just a totally independent backup used only in case of emergency.

These brakes will be the ones normally used to slow the vehicle -- the brake set on the front wheel is just a totally independent backup used only in case of emergency.