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.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sometimes slower is better
With the straight line, directly downwind nature of the craft, we have no need for fast response course correction. In fact we want extreme straight line stability in our steering.
With that in mind we installed an industrial damper aft of the wheel.
