phatcat 0 #1 December 10, 2002 I was going through some old pics and came across this one from a fly in or something that I went to. It's the only one I can't ID. The cockpit looks like it's made for very high visibility like a helicopter. The propulsion is certainly unique. Anybody know what this is and what it's used for? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #2 December 10, 2002 i have seen it before hold on let me get one of my books outI swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #3 December 10, 2002 Whatever it is, I like it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wlie 0 #4 December 10, 2002 Definitely not for safe for jumping. Unless you want to become minced meat.Then again, it could double as an aerial bird sausage maker. My other ride is the relative wind. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keith 0 #5 December 10, 2002 It looks like a fly Keith Don't Fuck with me Keith - J. Mandeville Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skygod7777 0 #6 December 10, 2002 no, but it does look pretty trippylater Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #7 December 10, 2002 My bet is it's on observation bird- Ducted fan propulsion- I would guess that's piston engine tucked away in there but maybe a small turbine? Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #8 December 10, 2002 Its called an Optica let me scan the stuff i have.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phatcat 0 #9 December 10, 2002 Good one Vike! I just scanned a second photo and blew it up to get the attached pic. I Google searched and got some info. I've never posted a url before so hopefully this will work. www.utility-aircraft.com/planes/optica.htm Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #10 December 10, 2002 Man...with those crappy specs and HIGH price tag you'd be better off with a C-172!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #11 December 10, 2002 Optica I've never seen one in real life, but have read about them in Jane's. I believe it's primary mission is civil observation, think police helicopter, but operating at a lower price. Piston engine, ducted fan, should be fairly quiet as well. Would be a nice plane for pipeline patrol or checking high-tension lines.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #12 December 10, 2002 Here is the info card i have on this funky bird.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phatcat 0 #13 December 10, 2002 Quote Man...with those crappy specs and HIGH price tag you'd be better off with a C-172!! Yeah, but you wouldn't look nearly as cool! (And that's the most important spec) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #14 December 10, 2002 Actually, the specs are quite good for the use it was designed for. It's definatley not a high-speed airplane, but it sure has a way better loiter and glide than any C-172. Would make a killer traffic spotter.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #15 December 10, 2002 QuoteWould make a killer traffic spotter Yeah...I guess the 8.3 H endurance is about double a C-172..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycop 0 #16 December 10, 2002 The 50% cruise speed is a little fast for urban patrol duties, but the price and endurance would be attractive for highway patrol type agencies. I'm surprised it never "took-off" (no pun intended), I've been researching law enforcement aviation for years and I've never heard of it. "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #17 December 10, 2002 The reason it never really caught on was that it had one had a crash in fligth test and I -believe- something like only a half-dozen or so were ever produced before an unrelated fire (set by a disguntled worker?) burned the factory down. So, they had some issues. quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skycop 0 #18 December 10, 2002 Well that explains it!!! Anyone want to start a company making funky police planes? "Just 'cause I'm simple, don't mean I'm stewpid!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #19 December 10, 2002 It was used in a really bad Mark Hamill movie, kinda like Road Warrior, but with that cool plane. Good knowledge, Viking, but I'll be real impressed if you can find the title of that movie. That plane was on the movie's poster. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phatcat 0 #20 December 10, 2002 Quote I'll be real impressed if you can find the title of that movie According to the link I posted, the title is "Slipstream." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #21 December 10, 2002 Damn. OK, how about the movie poster? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #22 December 10, 2002 http://www.markhamill.com/images/slipstpo.jpg anything else?I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deuce 1 #23 December 11, 2002 Great movie poster! Bad movie. It was released in 1989. I was old enough to drink and had been getting laid for a decade.No thanks, smartboy, nothing else. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #24 December 11, 2002 heres a bigger version.http://www.movieactors.com/photos-sf/slipstrm.jpeg I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
